Plans approved for 100 council homes as part of overhaul

Plans have been approved for the construction of 99 council bungalows as part of a strategy to retrofit outdated homes.

Keon Homes has been appointed to replace 93 post-war prefabs on the Lincoln Green Estate in Bushbury and is expected to start on-site in late spring.

It is part of the City of Wolverhampton Council’s citywide strategy to identify solutions for 4,100 outdated homes built by old, non-traditional construction methods.

The first wave of demolition of the ageing bungalows continues across the estate on Alleston Road, Grosvenor Road, Lincoln Green and School Lane – and in the Wood End and Portobello areas of the city. Work on planning applications for new homes in the other two locations is ongoing.

All of the old bungalows have been declared defective under the 1985 Housing Act – and 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 well-being.

City of Wolverhampton Council deputy leader and cabinet member for city housing, Cllr Steve Evans said: “The non-traditional built properties 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 will continue talking with all those affected and have engaged with all tenants, who are relishing the prospect of moving into brand new homes. They understand the absolute necessity to remove these out-dated bungalows and replace them with new modern homes.

“It is a key priority of our council plan to ensure we provide good homes in well-connected neighbourhoods for all our residents.”