Council’s affordable homes plan on track despite virus
A Black Country council is on track to boost its affordable housing stock, despite pressures of building new homes during the Covid-19 pandemic.
For the last 10 years, Dudley Council chiefs have been determined to build hundreds of new council homes – as part of the authority’s new build council homes project.
The council has worked with local developers to provide affordable and quality homes for the residents of Dudley on pockets of council land, such as disused garage sites that were identified as ripe for development.
Since the start of the pandemic, the council has been able to ensure developments can go ahead by following Covid secure guidelines.
In the last 12 months alone, it has meant more than 40 homes have been completed including six homes on land on Redfly Lane in Pensnett, eight on Portway Close in Kingswinford, three on Kinfare Rise in Upper Gornal, 10 on Worcester Road in Netherton and 14 on Stewarts Road in Halesowen.
Another 30 homes are also being built – including 10 on the Broadway in Norton and 12 on Hinbrook Road in Dudley.
Dudley Council has also submitted planning applications for a further five developments and has a number of projects in the pipeline.
Councillor Laura Taylor, cabinet member for housing and community services, said: “The last 12 months have certainly thrown up a few challenges for our housing developments, but I’m delighted we’ve been able to follow Covid-safe practices and remain on track to fulfil our commitment to providing more affordable housing across the borough.
“High demand for our affordable housing remains and it is therefore essential we explore every opportunity to grow our housing stock and meet the needs of our residents.
“As well as building new homes, we’re also investing in raising the standards of our existing homes and looking at opportunities to make them more energy-efficient as well as progressing plans to demolish and redevelop the sites of former high-rise blocks in Netherton.
“I’m really pleased we can continue our work and would like to thank all those involved for their continued hard work.”
