'It is changing families' lives' - Plan approved for more new council homes on former pub site in Heath Town
A plan has been approved for new council homes to be built on a former pub site as part of the ongoing transformation of the Heath Town estate.
The proposals put forward by construction partner Keon Homes on behalf of Wolverhampton Council include 32 one- and two-bedroom apartments on empty land where the Duke of York pub once stood.
The development, facing Wednesfield Road, Tremont Street and Inkerman Street, will include wheelchair-accessible, ground-floor homes.
The scheme is part of a second phase of Heath Town regeneration that aims to deliver up to 120 new council homes across five sites – and work could start in winter 2025/26.
The first phase saw 40 new council houses built on Hobgate Road and one site on Tithe Croft, off Chervil Rise.
This followed the demolition of vacant buildings, while existing residential blocks are undergoing major improvements by Wolverhampton Homes, and three new play areas and a football pitch have been created.
Through a Local Lettings Plan developed with the Heath Town Tenants and Residents Association, the majority of the first phase homes have been allocated to existing council tenants, including those with a local connection to Heath Town.
Councillor Steve Evans, deputy leader and cabinet member for city housing at Wolverhampton Council, said: “One of our key priorities is to increase the number of good homes in well-connected neighbourhoods across the city.
“The regeneration of Heath Town is helping achieve that and it is heartening to see how it is changing the lives of families for the better.
“Planning approval now means we can kick-start the next phase of our transformation of the estate, which is being built on the strong sense of community at Heath Town, where we have delivered improvements and new homes the residents can be proud of.”
Other works completed as part of the redevelopment include the demolition of walkways and garages in the Hobgate Road area and the refurbishment of the ground- and lower ground-floors of Ling House to provide new office, meeting and activity space for the Hope Family Centre.
