350 new homes for Walsall estate

The former estate has been standing empty for years and become a target for travellers and fly-tipping.

And while Walsall Housing Group has not yet drawn up exact designs, it is hoped construction on the houses will finally start in two years.

WHG's development manager Mark Tranter said: "We're looking to build 350 homes on the old Goscote estate. We still need to design that, but we hope to start it in April 2017."

The figure is for 50 more homes than were initially suggested.

Previous plans for the now-flattened estate around Goscote Lodge Crescent, Hildicks Crescent and Middle Crescent involved turning it into open space. However, that was scrapped after it emerged green belt land around nearby The Lea would be used for housing. That scheme was dropped after more than 800 people objected.

Around 280 derelict homes were bulldozed in the project. which started back in 2007.

However, one defiant householder refused to budge until a suitable compensation package was agreed and remained until 2011.

Speaking about WHG's plans in general, Mr Tranter said: "We have a major growth programme to build 1,900 homes within the next four years.

"In the last two years we have accelerated the programme. We have secured £250m through a bond scheme to secure our growth and build these homes over the next four years.

"The funding supports our aspirations."

Some 29 homes for affordable rent are currently being built in the Harden area by firm Galliford Try in partnership with WHG and will be ready in March 2015.

Construction work on a further 412 properties at the former Poets Estate, in Harden, that will be available for rent and sale was started two months ago by developer Keepmoat Limited. These properties situated around the old Shakespeare Crescent, Keats Road and Chaucer Road areas will be completed by April 2018.

Tenants and homeowners were relocated to other parts of the borough when hundreds of homes were pulled down from 2005, including in Shakespeare Crescent, to make way for more modern properties.

Last year, WHG secured £250m of investment on the capital markets towards the cost of the re-development schemes.

The housing provider also attracted more than £8m investment as part of the Government's Black Country Growth Deal, through the Local Enterprise Partnership to boost its efforts.

Grant funding has also come from the Homes and Communities Agency that will go towards the rebuilding the Goscote estate.

By March this year the social landlord will complete 220 homes at Silver Court, Short Street, and Wessex Close, all in Brownhills; Harrowby Road, in Moxley; Somerfield Road, in Bloxwich; and Pennine Way, in Short Heath, Willenhall.

'Visit our featured local Home Improvements businesses here'