Ribbon cut on £1.3m Dennis Turner Close
A £1.3million housing development bearing the name of the late Lord Bilston has been officially opened.
Dennis Turner Close was launched by a ribbon cutting ceremony by granddaughter Bella and widow Pat.
His brother Bert, a Wolverhampton councillor, also attended and said his brother would 'over the moon' with the honour.
"Now that the development is open, I feel content," he said.
"Dennis was always about Bilston and his constituency, so for something like this to happen in our Dennis's memory within the area is honourable.
"He would be over the moon and chuffed if he was here today. Before this, it was just a bad piece of land and now it's beautiful to what it was.
"People keep stopping me in the town and singing the praises of Dennis Turner Close. I can't express how happy it makes the family."
Lady Bilston described the ceremony as 'touching' and said it was a fitting tribute towards her late husband, who died last year.
Lord Bilston became Wolverhampton's youngest ever councillor aged just 23, in 1966.
He successfully ran for Parliament in 1987, winning the Wolverhampton South East seat. He was granted Freedom of the City in 2007 and a book about his life - Real Labour - was released late last year.
Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden said: "Dennis was a great campaigner and an absolute symbol of Bilston Town.
"For this development to take place couldn't be any more fitting.
"I think smaller sites like this are very beneficial and just what the city needs."
Situated two minutes away from Bilston town centre, the development features eight two-storey apartment homes, targeted at people aged over 55 with mobility issues.
Sara Woodall, Accord Group chief executive, said: "Our initial vision to build here started two to three years ago.
"We applied for funding and to work alongside the local authority, and they have been fantastic and just made it happen.
"We wanted to dedicate it to Dennis but had to get his family's consent first and they were extremely pleased with the idea.
"He was an iconic figure to Bilston and the town felt a strong connection to him."
Beryl Smart, a resident who moved in less than a month ago, said: "The properties are absolutely brilliant for disabled people. My dad worked with Dennis, he was a much loved and respected man, and he would have been very proud today."
