Planning approved for new Heath Town homes on former pub site

A planning application has been approved for new council homes to be built on the site of a former pub as part of the ongoing transformation of the Heath Town estate.

The proposals put forward by construction partner Keon Homes on behalf of City of Wolverhampton Council, include 32 one and two-bedroom apartments on vacant land where the Duke of York pub once stood.

The development, facing Wednesfield Road, Tremont Street and Inkerman Street, will include wheelchair accessible ground floor homes.

The scheme is part of a second phase of Heath Town regeneration that is aiming to deliver up to 120 new council homes across five sites – and works could start in winter 2025/26.

The first phase saw 40 new council houses built on Hobgate Road and one site on Tithe Croft, off Chervil Rise.

This came on the back of an extensive demolition programme of vacant buildings, while existing residential blocks are undergoing major improvements by Wolverhampton Homes, and three new play areas and a football pitch have been created.

Through a Local Lettings Plan developed with the Heath Town Tenants and Residents Association, the majority of the first phase homes have been allocated to existing council tenants, including those with a local connection to Heath Town.

“We are delighted that planning has been approved to take redundant land and transform it into 32 one and two-bed apartments as part of the Heath Town regeneration,” commented Jim Woodsford, Pre-Development and Planning Manager at Keon Homes.

“This is a real gateway site into Wolverhampton city centre, and we will reflect this with enhanced landscaping and a shared garden space for placemaking and balconies to encourage community interaction.

“All of the properties will be energy efficient and built to a high standard providing a place for individuals and families in the area to proudly call their home. That’s really important to Keon Homes.”

City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing, Councillor Steve Evans, added: “One of our key priorities is to increase the number of good homes in well-connected neighbourhoods across the city.

“The regeneration of Heath Town is helping achieve that and it is heartening to see how it is changing the lives of families for the better.

“Planning approval now means we can kick-start the next phase of our transformation of the estate, which is being built on the strong sense of community at Heath Town, where we have delivered improvements and new homes the residents can be proud of.”

Other works completed as part of the redevelopment include the demolition of walkways and garages in the Hobgate Road area of the estate and the refurbishment of the ground and lower ground floors of Ling House to provide new office, meeting and activity space for the Hope Family Centre.