partnership moved power to the government. In May 1992, the government redesignated it a Development Corporation for a five-year period. The Development Corporation came into being on 1 July 1992. Development Corporation Following the redesignation of the area, the Birmingham Heartlands Development Corporation bought out Heartlands company interests and took over nominations to the board, as well as the direction of strategy. This was made possible by the provision of £50 million by the government and by further grants from the European Regional Development Fund. This was seen as the former company trying to prevent the partnership halting its work because of problems with the private sector. Heartlands was designated an Assisted Area status, allowing the area to be granted funds by the Department of Trade and Industry. The funds were used in the construction of the Heartlands spine road on the A47, which was completed in 1997. Alongside the Grand Union Canal, 0.4 square kilometres of land was reclaimed to construct Bordesley urban village, consisting of over 1,000 homes, a school and numerous community facilities. It was thought to be the largest urban village of its kind in the country. Other developments include the development of the Fort Shopping Centre near Fort Dunlop and reclamation of the 'Star' site, which was formerly occupied by the Nechells Power Station, by the M6 motorway and A38. The 140,000 square metre site was redeveloped to create the Star City retail development with the help of a £6.8 million government grant. During its lifetime, of non-housing development and 802 housing units were built. Around 4,656 new jobs were created and some £211m of private finance was leveraged in. Circa of derelict land was reclaimed and of new road and footpaths put in place. The chairman was Sir Reginald Eyre and the Chief executive was Alan Osborne and, subsequently, Jim Beeston. It was dissolved in 1998. References Community organisations in Birmingham, West Midlands Organizations established in 1992 Organizations disestablished in 1998 Defunct public bodies of the United Kingdom Development Corporations of the United Kingdom 1992 establishments in England 1998 disestablishments in England