Plans approved for new 'greener' estate

Plans for the new "greener" estate were submitted in October

Major plans to demolish and rebuild a Wolverhampton council estate have been backed, with work due to begin in the new year.

More than 200 maisonettes in New Park Village will be flattened and replaced with new homes and flats as part of £42m plans by City of Wolverhampton Council.

The new "greener" estate will include an outdoor gym, play areas and rooftop gardens.

Demolition work will begin in January and is expected to last six months, with building work on the first phase of 98 homes beginning in the summer.

The maisonettes were built in the 60s

Plans for the new properties on Longford Road and Ellteron Walk were submitted in October.

Councillor Steve Evans, deputy leader and cabinet member for housing, said the energy efficient homes would improve tenants living conditions and provide welcoming green space.

"We are continuing to invest heavily in new and replacement council housing and this scheme will make a major difference to the residents of New Park Village.

"It forms part of our commitment to deliver good homes in well-connected neighbourhoods across the city."

The estate of maisonettes built in the 60s was labelled as "uninviting" in surveys commissioned by the council as long as 20 years ago.

Up to £11m had been set aside for "refurbishments" to the estate until it was realised this would not be enough to fix the problems and it was upped to £25m.

It was later realised that at least £38m would be needed to completely redevelop the estate to meet the right standards.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.