Wolverhampton Council plans to replace pre-war prefabs with 15 modern homes

Outdated prefabs on a Black Country council estate are set to be replaced with 15 modern homes as part of a regeneration project.

Plans have been submitted to demolish a bloc of pre-war prefabricated houses in Wilkinson Avenue, in the Bradley area of Bilston, to make way for 15 new council homes.

If they are approved Morro Partnerships will build seven two-bedroom maisonettes, one three-bedroom maisonette, four houses with two bedrooms and three houses with three bedrooms. on behalf of Wolverhampton Council.

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It is the ‘pilot’ phase of the council’s wider Upper Bradley regeneration project which, if successful, may also extend to further developments in Baker Road, Chettle Road, Crane Road, Jordan Place, Martin Road, Pugh Road, Walter Road and Wells Road.

The council said the work was being done in close consultation with the community, with opportunities for affected tenants to remain in the area and move into the newly built properties.

The new homes will replace a row of prefabricated ‘T-block’ properties, built between 1927 and 1939, using a method of construction believed to be unique to Wolverhampton.

So-called because of the T-shaped blocks used to construct interior walls, which were then clad with concrete sheeting on the outside, the houses now suffer from problems with structural elements, exposed and corroding steel, and poor thermal efficiency.

A council spokesman said they were no longer easy to maintain, and the new houses will also provide more flexibility in adapting them to meet tenants’ needs.

Councillor Steve Evans, cabinet member for housing, said: “Our priority is to deliver good and affordable homes for local people in well-connected neighbourhoods, and this programme demonstrates the council’s commitment to ensuring that for every resident.

“The mix of homes has been informed by feedback from affected tenants, with each one allocated its own parking and a private garden. The proposals also offer a high-quality neighbourhood that complements the existing estate.

“With the current rising cost of energy, it is important we also improve the energy efficiency of any poorly performing council-owned housing.”

The scheme forms part of the council’s multi-million-pound plan to replace or refurbish 4,100 ageing homes across the city built by non-traditional construction methods.

New bungalows have already been handed over to residents on the Lincoln Green estate in Bushbury, where almost 100 decaying properties are being demolished in phases, and replaced by modern, affordable, energy-efficient council homes. Hundreds of properties are also being updated in Bradley and Ettingshall.

The planning application was originally scheduled to have been submitted in the summer of this year, with the new homes ready to move into in autumn next year.

The proposals will now be considered by Wolverhampton Council’s planning department.