Land sale for hundreds of new homes approved

The Canalside South site includes land around the canal and railway and the former British Steel site in Horseley Fields

The sale of industrial land in Wolverhampton to make way for hundreds of new homes has been approved by councillors.

Of the 524 homes that are planned for the Canalside South site in Heath Town, more than a fifth will be classed as affordable and in shared ownership.

The development is proposed to be built on top of a planned Metro extension from Wolverhampton to New Cross Hospital.

But City of Wolverhampton Council cabinet members were informed that feasibility work to develop a rapid transit link from Wolverhampton Interchange to the hospital was ongoing.

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) told BBC News ahead of the meeting that the transport link was still being looked at.

"It remains an important part of our long-term plans to develop a Metro or tram-style bus rapid transit link from Wolverhampton Interchange to New Cross Hospital," a spokesperson said.

"An initial high level feasibility study has provided some indicative costs and impacts - this work is ongoing."

A document seen the the BBC has stated that expanding the region's tram network carries an "enormous cost" that may prove difficult to meet.

Analysis of the Metro system, which links Birmingham to Wolverhampton, said "significant investment" was needed if a rapid network was to be delivered.

Of the 524 homes that are planned for the Canalside South site in Heath Town, more than a fifth will be classed as affordable

Developer Wavensmere has been in talks with the council and Canal and River Trust about the housing scheme and a report to councillors last week said the sale amount had been agreed, but it has not been made public.

In total, 384 two and three-bedroom houses will be built, along with 140 one and two-bedroom apartments as well as parkland.

Councillor Steve Evans told the meeting that "without doubt" it would bring benefits to the city and that sustainable transport links were vital to bring in the 600 or 700 people who would be on the doorstep of the city.

Councillor Chris Burden, cabinet member for children and young people, said he was pleased about building a new community at the gateway to the West Midlands.