Chosen construction partner, Keon Homes, has completed seven new wheelchair accessible council bungalows on Longford Road two months ahead of schedule.

The homes are top energy-efficient EPC A rated and, as per the local lettings plan, all of them have been allocated to existing tenants on the estate.

The bungalows are the first part of a major redevelopment of council housing in the area that will also see all the existing, out-dated 1960s maisonettes flattened and replaced with 179 brand new highly energy-efficient homes over two phases.

Phase one demolition was completed last year by DSM Demolition and Keon are now close to completing intensive underground surveys and finalising diversion routes with utilities companies for existing water, gas, electricity and telecommunications supplies across the site.

Enabling works on the wider estate are expected to start in Spring, with a construction period of 18 to 24 months to immediately follow.

The regeneration will provide new two, three and four-bedroom council homes for rent, as well as increased car parking, improved public open space at the heart of the estate, including a children’s play area, green gym and seating, and a brand-new Tenant Management Organisation (TMO) office.

Under phase one of the masterplan 98 new homes will be constructed, while phase two will deliver 81 new properties.

The £40million programme is being funded from the council’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital budget.

Carol Mcintosh, daughter of 84-year-old Melva Mcintosh, who is moving into one of the new bungalows, said: "I never thought my mom would live in a property as beautiful as this, these are the best council houses I have ever seen!”

Earl Dixon, another resident moving from an out-dated maisonette on the estate to a new Longford Road bungalow, said: “It’s a fantastic upgrade, really brilliant. They’ve done a great job here with the design and size.

“This new home will make life a lot easier for me – and it’s nice to have a back garden.

“Overall, they are doing a good job. There’s a lot of hope for people now and it shows somebody cares about them.”

Councillor Steve Evans, City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing, said: “We are determined to provide new and better homes for affordable rent and these fantastic new bungalows will better fit the needs and make a huge difference to the lives of the local residents who have moved in.

“We are continuing to invest heavily in new and replacement council housing across the city and it is all about creating better connected communities where people can enjoy brighter futures – this is just the start of things to come as part of the New Park Village regeneration masterplan.

“In the long-term, the redevelopment will contribute to the improvement of tenants’ living conditions with the provision of highly energy-efficient new homes, better play areas and green space creating an environmentally friendly estate.”

Jim Woodsford, Pre-Development and Planning Manager at Keon Homes, said: “It’s always great to see the first residents moving into their new homes and begin the next chapter of their lives.

“These properties utilise modern methods of construction and are extremely sustainable, featuring solar panels and electric vehicle charging points. There will be lots of open spaces here when complete, with New Park Village hopefully becoming a real landmark regeneration project for the City of Wolverhampton Council.

“Keon Homes and our supply chain partners continue to deliver key milestones ahead of schedule, with the seven bungalows handed over sixty days quicker than originally envisaged.”

The New Park Village redevelopment scheme is being phased over several years to minimise disruption to residents.