Old Black Country garages to make way for 350 homes
Around 350 homes will be built in a Black Country borough over the next five years – with affordable housing to feature in the developments, a councillor has pledged.
The £18 million plan by Dudley Council will see the homes built in place of small blocks of council-owned garages sitting empty across the area.
The initial three garage sites involved are Ketley Hill Road, Dudley, Lea Bank Road, Netherton and Marley Road, Kingswinford.
The construction of council homes as part of the scheme is now under way on sites in Sedgley, Woodsetton, Wollaston and Coseley.
It has been welcomed by chairman of Dudley Federation of Tenants' and Residents' Association's, Martin Smith, who said he was pleased that money was being spent on improving empty properties to help meet the demand for homes.
Councillor Gaye Partridge, cabinet member for housing, said: "Eight apartments and two houses to be built at Lea Bank Road will be affordable housing for local people. They are part of a council new-build programme to provide 350 homes over the next five years.
"I was advised in a meeting that we are currently considering a local lettings plan which could see homes let to people recovering from mental ill heath.
"We are committed to consultation. We want to know the new residents will be made welcome, so we want to hear people's views."
It is the first time the council has signed such a deal, and as part of the agreement the contractor will provide apprentices and jobs for the long-term unemployed.
Jessup Brothers will build approximately 150 homes which will be retained for use by council tenants.
To help fund the scheme, council bosses will borrow £6.2m through the Government's Local Growth Fund.
They will look to add a further £11.5m into the new build budget in 2018/19.
