The second phase of a Wolverhampton Council scheme is underway to replace 105 post-war prefabs on two sites in the city and provide existing residents with 111 new energy efficient council bungalows and 4 flats.
Works are ongoing on the first phase of 36 new bungalows on the Lincoln Green Estate, Bushbury, with the first 8 bungalows completed and residents already enjoying their new homes.
As part of phase 2, a further 63 new bungalows and four flats will be delivered on the Lincoln Green Estate and another 12 in Wood End, Wednesfield.
It is part of the council’s citywide strategy to identify solutions for 4,100 homes built by out-dated, non-traditional construction methods.
Demolition of the ageing bungalows is simultaneously taking place across the Lincoln Green Estate on Alleston Road, Alleston Walk, Grosvenor Road, Grosvenor Crescent, Lincoln Green, School Lane and Wood Lane, as well as in Wednesfield on Chestnut Grove, Hazel Grove and Cherry Grove.
Across the Lincoln Green Estate and Wood End sites 45 out-dated properties have been demolished to date, and all new bungalows are set to be built by summer 2028.
All of the old bungalows have been declared defective under the 1985 Housing Act – and continued repairs are no longer considered viable as they suffer from a number of issues including failing structural elements, leaking and poorly insulated roofs, very poor thermal efficiency, and wet rot in the floor.
The council has therefore taken the decision to replace the properties before they have an adverse effect on tenants’ health and wellbeing.
The new, modern council bungalows will also provide a greater ability to adapt properties to meet tenants’ needs, something which has been difficult to achieve in the out-dated properties due to their structural limitations.
The redevelopment programme is being managed by the council’s housing team and follows extensive and ongoing consultation with residents.
Existing council tenants, currently living in the out-dated bungalows, will be given the opportunity to move into the new properties. The remaining new homes will be allocated to local people in line with the council’s official housing allocations policy.
City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing, Councillor Steve Evans, said: “It is important we improve the quality of homes for our existing residents – and these new bungalows certainly deliver on that front.
“The non-traditional built properties they were living are in such poor structural condition that they can no longer be economically and satisfactorily maintained.
“For the safety and comfort of our residents, we are delivering better homes in the long term that they can make their own in the same location.
“We have been talking regularly with all those affected and have engaged with all tenants, with the first ones thriving in their brand-new modern homes.”
Matt Wilkes, Project Manager at Keon Homes, said: “It’s great to be starting another development with the City of Wolverhampton Council, helping it deliver high quality, energy efficient housing to people.
“A lot of our team live locally, so it means a lot to them to personally transform living spaces and contribute to creating vibrant communities where individuals and families can thrive.”