Economic development and regeneration
Pride in Place programme
About the Pride in Place programme
In September 2025, the Government announced that the Birchen Coppice area of Kidderminster will receive £20 million for investment over the next ten years under the “Pride in Place” programme. The area is one of 330 to receive the funding and support.
The funding is to benefit the Birchen Coppice Middle Super Output Area (MSOA), which also includes parts of Rifle Range, Foley Park and Silverwoods.
The investment is to support the community to drive forward the changes they want to see in their neighbourhood. It will support improvements people can see on their doorstep, champion local leadership, foster community engagement and strengthen social cohesion.
A Neighbourhood Board will be recruited during 2026, and will co-produce the Pride in Place Plan, led by an independent Chair. Details regarding recruitment are below.
The video gives an introduction to the Pride in Place programme. It features contributions from:
- Councillor Marcus Hart, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council
- Councillor Dan Morehead, Wyre Forest District Council's Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Planning and the Green Agenda
- Mark Garnier OBE, Member of Parliament for Wyre Forest
- Cat Lewis, Principal - Kidderminster
Please note, applications for the position of Chair have now closed.
Councillor Marcus Hart, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council, speaking:
I'm delighted to say that Wyre Forest District Council has received £20 million called Pride in Place funding from central Government to be spent over a 10-year period. This is a great opportunity to bring communities and residents across the Silverwoods estate, Birchen Coppice, Rifle Range, Oldington and Foley Park together. We're looking for an independent Chair who will lead this project to work with the member of parliament, the local authority - Wyre Forest District Council and Worcestershire County Council, local councillors and importantly you, the residents at the heart of the community to shape your lives and the lives of our children for a generation.
Mark Garnier OBE, Member of Parliament for Wyre Forest, speaking:
We want a really dynamic chair who can come along and who understands the needs of this community, who understands where the opportunity lies, but most importantly, that person needs to provide excellent leadership for the team that is going to be delivering this £20 million investment over the coming 10 years.
Councillor Dan Morehead, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, speaking:
We're really looking for an individual who has the skills and experience within governance, strategic leadership, and of course, navigating complex issues and partnerships.
Cat Lewis, Principal of Kidderminster College, speaking:
This project provides an incredible opportunity for a really committed and exceptional individual to step up. This individual will be passionate about the area and will be able to readily pull together supportive coalitions of business people, civic leaders, community representatives, and local residents to make amazing things happen.
Councillor Marcus Hart, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council, speaking:
It isn't just about buildings, this really is about tackling health inequalities, social deprivation, social isolation, antisocial behaviour, education outputs, all of those things can be addressed with this funding and that will be the job of the Chair and the board moving forward.
Councillor Dan Morehead, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, speaking:
This is a once in a generation opportunity for you to make a lasting difference and create a real legacy within Birchen and Coppice.
Mark Garnier OBE, Member of Parliament for Wyre Forest, speaking:
So, if you're that person, we want to hear from you.