Public can help to shape Wolverhampton in £5m revamp

The Heath Town regeneration project will cost £5 million - and final proposals are going on display this week.

The project will see shops, offices and a GP surgery bulldozed to make way for hundreds of homes.

A block of flats, Chervil Rise will be demolished and 34 residents paid £4,700 when they are moved elsewhere.

Bosses will shell out £131,000 in compensation to the residents, while the former Duke of York pub site is being sold off.

Next week's exhibition will set out detailed information of the multi-million pound development proposals.

It will include an updated masterplan and plans for sports courts between Chervil Rise and Long Ley, as well as a new play area and outdoor gym equipment

It will also outline the latest proposals for the old Duke of York site.

Council bosses are encouraging residents to view the proposals and have their say in a survey.

Regeneration chief Councillor Peter Bilson said: "We are committed to regeneration in the city.

"The proposals for Heath Town are taking shape and I would urge everyone to attend this event and see the exciting plans for themselves and give their feedback."

The survey asks if people approve of the proposed sports facilities,

It also asks for people's top three priorities to improve a block of flats at Brockfield House, which is being kept as part of the plan.

Bosses propose fitting external doors to improve the security of the blocks, installing CCTV, replacing windows, providing more car parking, improving lighting to entrances and adding recycling facilities.

The ambitious project will also involve knocking down a police base, a Wolverhampton Homes office, a nursery and the Hope Centre that provides community services.

It has been dubbed the Heath Town Masterplan.

Alma Street, Wyrley Street and Qualcast Road will form part of the huge regeneration project, as will relocating a GP surgery on Chervil Rise.

Ideas were first proposed in 2013, when it was revealed up to 550 homes could be built.

When unveiled bosses said they hoped the majority of the houses would be 'traditional family homes' and have energy saving features such as Biomass boilers.

Potential sites on playing fields and derelict land have been earmarked for the new homes.

Councillor Bilson added: "Subject to NHS and council approvals, this will deliver a purpose built medical practice for two GPs.

"Both the GP and NHS have agreed that it is an appropriate proposal in principle.

"At present there are 24 tenanted properties in Chervil Rise affected and approximately £131,000 will be required to provide this compensation.

"Our ambition is to create a vibrant, thriving area that the residents deserve.

"For too long, there have been negative perceptions about Heath Town and our aim is to change this and help residents rediscover their civic pride in the area.

"We also want Heath Town to be a place where people choose to live and this vision sets out how we aim to achieve this.

"But we want to hear what the residents of Heath Town want to see in their estate."

The council says it will provide at least as many affordable homes as it gets rid of during the demolition at Chervil Rise.

The first of three phases in the plan involves improving housing under the council's Decent Homes programme, as well as marketing the Duke of York pub.

The second phase will cover the demolition and finding a developer to build the new homes.

The third and final phase will involve environmental works across the estate over the next 10 to 15 years, as well as creating stairways and walkways in those properties that are retained.

A council report says the aim of the project is not to regenerate the entire estate, but to 'deliver intervention in key locations, to increase housing provision and improve the function and appearance of the estate'.

Variations still have to be made to the plan, including ensuring there remains enough car parking, as a survey found the current proposals would reduce the number of spaces by a third.

The exhibition will be on display at the Hope Centre, Chervil Rise, today from 11am till 8pm.

The survey is available online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/heathtown until June 2.

And people are asked to email sangita.kular@wolverhampton,gov.uk or call 01902 553362 for any details about the project.