The bench, located in a green space at the new Old Fallings Crescent development, was unveiled by Noreen’s youngest daughter Lynne Daffern and other family members in a special ceremony to mark the start of a new chapter for the site, with the first residents now enjoying their new homes.

The development provides 24 council homes for local people on a cleared site at the rear of Old Fallings Crescent, previously occupied by the disused Peach Tree adventure playground and garages.

Born and bred in Wolverhampton, mother-of-six Noreen was honoured for her services to the Low Hill area in 1993 and awarded the Order of the British Empire.

She was chair of both the St Christopher's Park Steering Group and the Tenants Association of Low Hill, and helped organise community seaside trips, sponsored walks and more.

Actively involved in the children’s adventure playground and helping to run it throughout holidays, weekends and evenings. She also set up Peach Tree in the early 1990s, an eco-friendly building with a grass roof - a unique and unusual idea at the time.

Noreen passed away, aged 82, on January 24, 2018, after a battle with cancer.

The new housing scheme has been led by the council’s in‑house Housing Development Team, with Morro Partnerships constructing the homes using sustainable building methods.

The homes, designed by BM3 Architects, include a mix of detached and semi‑detached houses, bungalows and a small number of flats, along with 52 parking spaces.

Four of the houses – featuring rise and fall kitchens and through‑floor lifts – and four of the bungalows have all been built to wheelchair standards, helping to meet the needs of residents waiting for purpose‑built accommodation. The remaining homes have been constructed to future adaptability standards, allowing them to be more easily adapted as residents’ needs change.

All of the new homes have a high energy efficiency rating and include solar panels and electric vehicle charging points, supporting the council’s commitment to sustainable living.

The development includes a range of property sizes, from 2‑bedroom homes through to 4 and 5‑bedroom houses, helping to meet demand from larger families – and are being let to local people in accordance with the council’s housing allocations policy.

Daughter of Noreen Turner MBE, Lynne Daffern, said: “Mom dedicated her life to serving the community she loved and always believed in bringing people together.

“This bench is a fitting tribute to a woman who gave so much of herself to others.

“As a family, we are incredibly proud that her compassion, determination and community spirit will be remembered here by the many people whose lives she touched throughout the years.”

Councillor Steve Evans, City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing and Assets, said: “This is a fantastic development that not only delivers high‑quality, energy‑efficient homes for Wolverhampton residents, but also recognises the lasting contribution of a truly inspirational community campaigner.

“Noreen Turner MBE was passionate about improving opportunities for local people and it is fitting that her legacy is remembered here, in a development that is providing safe, accessible and affordable homes for families in housing need.

“We are proud that our in‑house team has led on the delivery of these much‑needed council homes, helping residents to put down roots and build their futures in thriving neighbourhoods.”

The Low Hill development has been supported by a £1.74 million grant from Homes England and forms part of a wider programme of new council housing across the city.

Gavin Ward, Morro Partnerships West Midlands Operations Director, said: “It gives us great pleasure to be able to continue our support within the communities of Wolverhampton, and in particular to be so aligned to the vision and commitment of Noreen Turner MBE.

“The Low Hill development provides fantastic new homes for local families and will also form part of Noreen’s lasting legacy in the local area.”