The Upper Bradley Regeneration Scheme is beginning with a pilot phase on Wilkinson Avenue where T-Block properties are proposed to be demolished and 15 new homes built.

Subject to planning approval, Morro Partnerships will deliver seven 2-bedroom and one 3-bedroom maisonette-style homes, and four 2-bedroom and three 3-bedroom houses, on behalf of City of Wolverhampton Council.

It follows several months of site investigations and preparatory works on the pilot, which will help inform potential future phases of the regeneration programme in Baker Road, Chettle Road, Crane Road, Jordan Place, Martin Road, Pugh Road, Walter Road and Wells Road.

All work is being done in close consultation with the local community, with opportunities for affected tenants to remain in the area and move into one of the newly built properties.

The T-Block properties, built between 1927 and 1939, suffer from issues including failing structural elements, exposed and corroding steel, and very poor thermal efficiency.

They are no longer maintainable, and the council has taken the decision to replace the out-dated properties with healthy homes for its residents.

The new, modern housing will also provide a greater ability to adapt properties to meet tenants’ needs, something which has been difficult to achieve in the current properties due to their structural limitations.

Councillor Steve Evans, City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing and Assets, 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, citywide strategy to identify replacement or refurbishment solutions for 4,100 ageing homes built by old, non-traditional construction methods.

New bungalows have already been handed over to residents on the Lincoln Green Estate, where almost a hundred decaying properties are being demolished in phases and modern, affordable, energy-efficient council homes built in their place; while ongoing retrofit works have been completed on hundreds of properties in Bradley and Ettingshall.