New milestone reached as work continues on £150 million Canalside South development in Wolverhampton

The appointment comes at a pivotal moment as the development transitions from intensive groundworks to vertical construction on the site which was previously occupied by British Steel and Crane Foundry.

Set to transform 17.5 acres of formerly derelict industrial land, Canalside South is one of the largest brownfield regeneration schemes in the UK. It is set to deliver more than 530 energy-efficient homes alongside seven acres of green space and a revitalised commercial corridor within historic railway arches.

Work on the site started getting underway just over 12 months ago - with the first 120 two and three-bedroom houses at various stages of construction.

Due to an unprecedented surge in interest, Birmingham-headquartered business Wavensmere Homes and Connells have confirmed that reservations are now being taken for the highly anticipated first phase of new builds.

The initial release features a collection of contemporary three-bedroom townhouses, with the first handovers scheduled for Q2 2027.

The decision to open reservations follows months of exceptionally high demand, with more than 2,700 registered buyers vying for a spot in what is being described as Wolverhampton’s new ‘lifestyle quarter’.

First time buyers and investors make up the majority of those who have registered an interest to buy a property in the new waterside development which is being built with energy efficiency and sustainability at its heart.

The homes, all designed to target an EPC-A rating, will feature air source heat pumps, solar panels and EV charging as standard. Residents moving in are projected to save more than £1,200 annually in energy costs compared to traditional housing.

The new properties are also expected to offer high yields for property investors - with Wolverhampton’s rental market growing at one of the fastest rates in the UK. Canalside South’s appeal is its proximity to the £150m Transport Interchange and the newly operational City Learning Quarter.

The Canalside South site was established through a partnership between Wolverhampton Council and the Canal & River Trust, and is located off Qualcast Road, close to the transport interchange and fronting onto the Wyrley and Essington Canal and the Wolverhampton Branch of the Birmingham Main Line Canal.

Councillor Chris Burden, cabinet member for city development, jobs and skills at Wolverhampton Council, said: “This is one of the largest new housing developments in the Midlands, creating hundreds of jobs for local people, and shows how the council - working collaboratively with the private sector - is making a real difference for city residents.”

Designed by Glancy Nicholls Architects, the low-rise scheme emulates the surrounding conservation area and maximises the waterside setting.

On completion, it will include seven acres of green space and open up a new pedestrian route to the city – reducing the previous walk time by 20 minutes – and igniting new investment into a commercial corridor.

More than 130 homes will have direct waterside views.