Heath Town regeneration work begins ahead of Wolverhampton estate's transformation
The first work has started on multi-million pound regeneration of Heath Town, which aims to revamp one of the most rundown estates in Wolverhampton.
Pre-demolition enabling works have started on site, while the process of appointing a developer will begin this summer.
It will cost £5 million for the enabling works and demolition to get the site ready for development.
The estate is set to be transformed with new housing, refurbished homes, and improved leisure space.
Work involves demolishing some buildings to make way for new development.
Phase one of the enabling works is taking place on Hobgate Road and is expected to be completed by September, with demolition of walkways and garages due to start by the end of the year.
The second phase will focus on Chervil Rise, with enabling works on this part of the estate due to start in spring 2017 with demolition scheduled to commence towards the end of 2017.
The demolition will comprise 36 maisonettes, the shopping precinct including the housing office, GP surgery and community centre. Also included are garages, the underground car park and disused gym.
The council's deputy leader, Councillor Peter Bilson, said: "The Heath Town regeneration project will transform the area over the next few years.
"We are clearing the way for demolition works and the appointment of a developer will follow shortly – there has been positive initial interest from a number of respected developers.
"The community deserves a modern, open and better quality place to live.
"We appreciate that this won't happen overnight but people will start to see progress very soon.
"The scheme is part of our wider plans to reinvigorate and regenerate our city and we are keeping residents fully informed of the changes via regular newsletters."
Phase one of the enabling works involves disconnecting and re-routing of the District Heating Pipework, asbestos surveys in preparation of the diversionary and planned demolition activity, renewal of the existing Braithwaite Tan – a water storage tank required for fire-fighting in the 21-23 storey tower blocks – and remedial work to the brick structure it is housed in, after the adjacent garage is demolished.
The second phase of the enabling works will see the diversion of district heating to avoid the demolition area on Chervil Rise and the proposed areas of new housing and separation of electrical supplies to the adjacent deck-access blocks as the supplies are currently shared with parts of the shopping precinct.
