Construction has started on 179 new council homes at Wolverhampton's New Park Village estate following completion of underground surveys and utility redirections by Keon Homes, the council's construction partner.
The regeneration scheme will replace 1960s maisonettes demolished last year. The new homes will have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of B, making them highly energy efficient.
Two-phase construction
Phase 1 will see 98 homes built over the next 24 months. Once complete, the remaining maisonettes will be demolished in phase 2, with a further 81 properties delivered as part of the overall scheme.
The development will provide a mix of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom council homes for rent, alongside increased car parking, improved public open space including a children's play area, green gym and seating, and a new housing office for the New Park Village Tenant Management Cooperative.
Who can access the new homes
Under the Local Lettings Plan, new homes will firstly be allocated to existing tenants on the estate. Additional properties will then be offered to local residents currently on the housing list.
Funding and timeline
The £42m programme is funded from the council's Housing Revenue Account capital budget and supported by grant funding through the Homes England Social and Affordable Housing Programme. The redevelopment is being phased over several years to minimise disruption to residents.
Earlier this year, 7 new 1 bedroom wheelchair accessible council bungalows on Longford Road were completed and handed over to residents as part of the overall New Park Village estate masterplan.