Estate transformation to start in days

The long-awaited £5 million transformation of a rundown Wolverhampton estate will start in days, after bulldozers finished demolishing the final derelict homes.

More than 30 homes on Bilston's Lunt estate have been demolished to pave the way for the new long-awaited development, which residents hope will mark a new era for the area.

The final remaining residents moved out just weeks ago, meaning work can finally get under way on the new 64-home development. Two dozen houses in Boswell Road, Addison Place and Chantrey Crescent were saved after a campaign by residents.

Under the authority's original regeneration hopes, more than 100 homes faced being demolished and replaced with a brand new development.

But the proposals to wipe out three entire streets caused outrage among residents, leading to 28 homes being saved.

Resident Ann Nightingale, aged 69, of Dartmouth Crescent, has spearheaded the campaign against original plans to bulldoze more than 100 homes on the estate.

The campaigner said today: "I have received a letter from the developers saying that the work to build the new homes will start in the new year and so that is fantastic.

"There are going to be some homes for rent and some to buy so they will appeal to a lot of people and I think there has already been a lot of interest in them.

"We are all really excited that the work is starting soon and it is going to make such a difference to this area." As well as the demolition work, a project to move an underground culvert which runs from Willenhall Road under Lunt Road, and alongside Bailey's Pool has already been completed. Checks for mine shafts have also been carried out.

Despite the housing project moving forward, a proposed £12 million project to create a 70-bedroom hotel at nearby Bilston Football Club has faced delays due to the economic downturn and mineshaft tests.