Council set to announce developer for new housing project
WOLVERHAMPTON City Council has drawn up a shortlist of potential developers for a new housing project.
The local authority said it had received seven expressions of interest from firms for the scheme, which will see the redevelopment of the former Armitage Shanks Tap Works site into 100 new homes.
From the submissions received, the council has drafted a shortlist of four bidders who will each be invited to bid for the work.
The council said the high level of interest in the project was another example of the strong private investment potential in Wolverhampton.
This has recently been evidenced by the large number of leading developers interested in the city’s new Westside regeneration scheme.
Cllr Peter Bilson, cabinet member for city assets, said: “This level of interest from developers shows the council’s approach to meeting the demand for housing and regenerating Wolverhampton is getting results.
“This project will give the Low Hill area a major boost and the proposals have been warmly welcomed by the Hawksford Residents and Tenants Association.”
As part of the city’s regeneration plans, 10,000 new homes are set to be built by 2026. To this end, the city will shortly be marketing development opportunities at Heath Town and the former Tower and Fort Works site.
The Armitage Shanks Tap Works factory on Showell Road closed its doors in 2007 and has since been demolished.
The council hopes to appoint a development partner in the summer to build a mix of high-quality council homes for rent and private homes for sale on the site, as well as on land on Fifth Avenue and Broome Road.
Work could start on site this autumn, with a view to the council units being completed within two years.
The project will comprise a mixture of one, two and four bedroom properties; consisting of flats, houses and bungalows.
The development at Fifth Avenue will also include two wheelchair accessible family-sized bungalows, which are already under construction, as well as a specialist supported housing scheme for people with mental health needs.
The council has secured a Local Development Order (LDO) meaning the preferred development partner will only have to submit full details of the proposed new homes to the council for approval.
