Written question asked by Lord Austin of Dudley (Labour) on Friday, 7 October 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 October 2011. It was answered by Mark Prisk (Conservative) on Thursday, 27 October 2011 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Advantage West Midlands: Wolverhampton

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what representations he has received from Advantage West Midlands on the (a) i54 site, Wolverhampton and (b) the potential location of Jaguar Land Rover's new engine plant at the i54 site since his appointment;

Answer: BIS officials are in regular contact with the regional development agencies (RDA), including Advantage West Midlands (AWM), on a range of matters and issues, and these may include matters relating to individual project issues like the i54.The land for the i54 site in Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire was progressively acquired between 2002 and 2007 by AWM, working with a range of local partners including Wolverhampton city council. The site transferred to the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) on 19 September under the Housing & Regeneration Act. AWM has been involved in the remediation and wider site works which have been under way since the initial acquisition of the site in March 2002, including securing outline planning permission for the site. AWM spent £52 million out of a BIS approval of £64 million up to the point of the announcement to abolish the RDA. A further £4.5 million was earmarked for additional remedial works between the announcement of the abolition of the RDA and the site's transfer to the HCA.I have not made an assessment of AWM's role in negotiations with Jaguar Land Rover which resulted in the company's decision to locate its new engine plant at the i54 site. The decision by Jaguar Land Rover to locate its engine plant at the i54 site in Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire was facilitated by a range of national, regional and local stakeholders.

Secondary information