New homes in Walsall to come years ahead of schedule
A long awaited multi million pound project which will transform swathes of derelict land in Walsall and see hundreds of new homes built could start within months – years ahead of when it was originally scheduled.
A total of £50 million is being ploughed into the Goscote regeneration project it has been announced.
It was initially thought that it may take until 2016 for builders to move onto site – but Walsall Housing Group spokesman Steve Hayes today said if plans are approved and funding is secured from the Homes and Communities Agency, work on site will start in October with a full completion date four years later.
Walsall Housing Group is now aiming to get funding secured for the 412 home scheme to start this autumn.
The scheme is part of a partnership with national housing and regeneration company Keepmoat. The project is subject to a successful funding bid to the Homes and Communities Agency and final planning consent.
It is being described as the most significant development project the housing group has undertaken.
Carole Wildman, director of regeneration and development at WHG said: "The completed scheme would see a total regeneration of the area with a mix new homes for both rent and sale.
"Our vision goes way beyond simply building homes, this will be a holistic regeneration with a focus on community engagement. We want to invest in and transform this area to create a cohesive community.
"We are delighted to be partnering with Keepmoat on this scheme, which will create jobs and apprenticeships alongside much-needed housing supply for local people."
Martyn Johnson, partnerships project manager at Keepmoat in the Midlands, said: "Building hundreds of high-quality new homes will help breathe new life into Goscote and regenerate this part of Walsall.
"The plan for Goscote is to build highly aspirational affordable homes for private sale and rent, helping families onto the housing ladder, creating an exciting, mixed-tenure community.
"We are pleased to be partnering with whg on such a major project and it is testament to the great work we have been doing."
A total of 177 affordable rent and 235 properties for sale are being planned for land off Shakespeare Crescent, Keats Road and Chaucer Road.
Hundreds of homes were pulled down from 2005, including in Shakespeare Crescent, to make way for more modern properties.
Original plans for around 700 homes had to be revised following more than 800 objections to building on green belt land, known as The Lea, where around 240 properties had been lined up.
Amended plans were then submitted which avoid building on the green belt.