More than 360 homes could be on the way for Heath Town

The plan, submitted to City of Wolverhampton Council, reveals how a total of six sites are to be transformed.

A total of 368 homes could be built, a mixture of one and two bedroom apartments, two bedroom bungalows as well as two, three and four bedroom houses. All of the homes will also have suitable parking installed.

The latest ideas for the Heath Town estate come as last month it was revealed that only one bidder had applied to take on the site. That meant that the formal bidding process to regenerate the area could not go ahead, and the council had to look again at ways of developing it.

Now, the masterplan submitted by Wolverhampton Council's Housing Services Department show how it hopes to make changes to the former Long Ley School site, the Chervil Rise shopping precinct and maisonettes, the adventure playground on Hobgate Road. The Qualcast Road, Alma Street, Wyrley Street areas and the Former Duke of York site on Wednesfield Road have also been chosen for development.

A statement in the application says: "City of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton Homes and the HCA commissioned a masterplan for the estate. This provides a long-term vision and masterplan for the area and a framework through which future improvements can be implemented. The masterplan was developed to plan for comprehensive, balanced and sustainable regeneration of Heath Town in line with community aspirations and needs.

"While the opportunity for wholesale re-development of the estate was not a viable option, there are a number of existing opportunities for new development."

Work has been underway already this year to prepare the area for further development, with the council carrying out demolition work for what was hoped to be an external developer to take on the site. Now, the council is to carry out the work itself if the masterplan is approved.

Already, Long Ley school is poised for development, as it was knocked down a number of years ago.

The Chervil Rise shopping precinct and maisonettes is already due to be partly demolished under phase two of the plan whilst the adventure playground on Hobgate Road has already been demolished under phase one of the works.

The area of Qualcast Road, Alma Street, Wyrley Street are also cleared sites according to the plan, ready for housing development.

Councillor Milkinderpal Jaspal said: "This is absolutely needed in the Heath Town area.

"I said from the beginning that going out to external developers was the wrong approach for this. So I think that the approach the council has taken now, to take control of the development itself is the right one.

"I think the area is in desperate need of family homes and I know that all the councillors for the area are behind this.

"I would say to people who are perhaps resistant to the prospect of change that this will be a good thing for Heath Town. The masterplan, if approved, will only enhance the area and give people what they are crying out for - green spaces, new play areas and car parking as well as homes."

As part of the works, any trees that need to be removed will be either put back in during landscaping works or replaced in other areas of the site.

The Heath Town bridge will also be protected and maintained, apart from the section which attaches to Chervil Rise, the block identified for demolition.

The application states that improvements will be made to the existing multi-use games area and Grosvenor Street playing field. Existing car parking facilities will be upgraded whilst the new car parking is also installed. The district heating system will be extended. New bin stores, electricity and heating supplies will be fitted as well as drainage.