Final phase of multi-million West Bromwich housing scheme granted green light
The final phase of a multi-million pound scheme to regenerate a run-down area of West Bromwich has been approved by planning chiefs.
Residents have already started moving into homes that have been built as part of the Eastern Gateway development in the heart of the town.
A further 27 homes will now be built on land off High Street and Bull Street along with enterprise and office space.
The initial phase of the Urban 180 affordable housing scheme was completed in 2013 and the second part at the end of last year.
In total, 63 homes have been built so far.
Councillors have now given developers the green light to complete the £10 million project.
The final phase will see two three-bedroom houses and 25 apartments added.
Building work is expected to begin in April.
Sandwell Council's economic boss Ian Jones said he was proud the vision for the Eastern Gateway was now coming to fruition.
He said: "Everybody who goes up and looks at Bull Street will see a remarkable change has been achieved. There is high-quality energy efficient housing.
"People have moved in and there are also homes that have been purchased, there's a mix of tenures.
"It was always our intention to bring new residential life in to that part of the town centre, we can achieve greater use of the town centre that way.
"It is something that has happened nationally as well as locally."
The Eastern Gateway project has attracted plenty of admirers, with housing association Accord Group, which developed the scheme in partnership with the council, winning a national Housing Heroes award for its work on the scheme.
Councillor Jones said: "I am pleased we have won national awards and that we can now go onto the next development in the town centre because things are always changing.
"When the opportunity arises we always look to improve the commercial viability of the town centre."
West Bromwich councillor Bawa Dhallu said the development had helped contribute to the transformation of the town centre.
He said: "It will definitely help improve the town centre.
"We have seen the £200 million development of Tesco, improvements to Queens Square car park and now this development.
"It has all helped to improve that area."
