Council starts work on about 180 new homes

Construction is under way on a Wolverhampton estate following last year's demolition of outdated 1960s maisonettes.

Wolverhampton City Council is working with construction developer Keon Homes to deliver the scheme at New Park Village, with work being phased over several years to minimise disruption to nearby residents.

The plan aims to develop 179 homes over two phases, with a mix of two- to four-bedroom council houses available for rent.

''These properties will generate new opportunities for local people and families, as well as bringing important parts of the city back to life'', said Matt Beckley, partnerships director at Keon Homes.

The local authority said the first phase would deliver 98 homes over the next two years, before the remaining maisonettes will be demolished in phase two to make way for a further 81 new homes.

The scheme will also include a green gym, a children's play area, a new housing office for the New Park Village Tenant Management Cooperative (TMC) and a car park.

The £42m programme will be funded from the city council's Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital budget.

Councillor Steve Evans, the council's deputy leader, stated: "This is a major milestone that means we will soon start seeing top quality new council homes for affordable rent coming out of the ground where outdated 1960s maisonettes once stood''.

Seven energy-efficient, wheelchair-accessible bungalows on Longford Road were completed two months ahead of schedule earlier this year.

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