Over 100 homes set to be built in Wednesbury after land deal for former college site goes through

Persimmon Homes was granted full planning permission in October for the 12 acre plot, known as Tame Bridge View, on the site of the former Phoenix Collegiate college which moved out to alternative facilities around eight years ago.

The scheme approved by Sandwell Council will also see a proportion of properties to be offered as shared ownership, private rent and part of the First Homes scheme.  

As part of the scheme, a total of £300,000 is also set to be made available to improve facilities at the Hydes Road playing fields in Wednesbury, and developers say a new school will be provided using the proceeds of the land sale.

Earlier outline proposals for 84 homes on the site were granted in early 2022, but Persimmon returned with an application for a larger 105 home scheme in 2023 which they said represented a more efficient use of the site. The updated proposals were approved this year by Sandwell Council's planners.

The site sits adjacent to the proposed Friar Park Urban Village development outlined by Sandwell Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority, which is intended to provide a further 630 homes as part of a separate scheme.

Neil Williams, Regional Managing Director at Persimmon Homes Central said: “We’re delighted to have completed the purchase of land at Phoenix Collegiate. Not only will this development deliver new homes, but it will also create local jobs as part of the construction and bring new life to this area of Wednesbury.”

Emily Berville Charlesworth, Land and Planning Manager at Persimmon Homes Central added: “We’re committed to creating vibrant, successful communities and supporting more local families in getting their dream homes. We’ll continue to work in partnership with Sandwell Council and other stakeholders to ensure our development delivers real benefits for the whole community.”