Housing scheme prepares for first residents

Thirty family homes are ready to move into at a former city centre industrial site that will provide hundreds of houses in total.

Half of the 378 family houses at Wolverhampton's £150m Canalside South scheme had been sold to owner-occupiers and investors, with 131 plots bought by a company for rental, the city council said.

By mid 2030, more than 530 energy-efficient houses and apartments will be completed, complemented by commercial and community amenities.

The project at the 17-acre site, which previously included a British Steel plant, will bring back into use land derelict for more than 15 years.

Many homes offer waterside views of the Wyrley & Essington Canal and the Wolverhampton branch of the Birmingham Main Line Canal, according to the council.

Developer Wavensmere stated it was delivering the scheme in three phases, going from east to west to "minimise disruption to the surrounding community".

Building work began early last year and more than 100 construction tradespeople were on site five days a week, the developer added, with many living in the Black Country.

By the end of next year, all 153 houses in the first phase would be occupied, the developer said.

Wavensmere Homes managing director James Dickens said the company had already spent more than £25m on site works and construction "to be at the major milestone we've reached".

He added: "With the significant work we're undertaking to open up new canalside walking routes into the adjacent train station and transport interchange, we are excited to see the ripple effect this £150m scheme could bring about."

Three-bedroom family homes were priced at £290,000 for a mid-terrace house, with end-of-terrace homes £295,000.

All homes currently available for sale were scheduled for completion from the middle of next year, the council said.

Council leader Stephen Simkins stated the project was one of the largest new housing developments in the Midlands, "creating hundreds of jobs for local people".

It showed how the authority, working with the private sector, was "making a real difference for city residents", he said.

The site was established through a partnership involving the council and the Canal & River Trust.

Real estate investment company Kennedy Wilson bought the 131 plots for rental homes at the development off Qualcast Road.

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