Work on landmark Wolverhampton housing development set to begin in early 2025

Planning permission for 533 new houses was granted in October, with housebuilder Wavensmere Homes confirming work is set to begin on site in early 2025 - after also announcing plans to purchase development land to deliver a further 1,500 homes.

The 17-acre development, which sites on the east of the city centre on a former steel foundry, also includes over 100 homes designated for affordable housing, and plans will also include seven acres of green space. A range of commercial spaces will also be included in the transformation of the site, which has been derelict for 15 years. The scheme is also set to open up a new walkway into the city centre.  

Birmingham-based Wavensmere Homes completed 476 houses and apartments during 2024, which it says resulted in a record turnover of £105m for its financial year, ending December 31.

"We have exceeded last year’s £100m turnover and could not be more excited about 2025," said James Dickens, Managing Director of Wavensmere Homes.

"The brownfield land acquisitions across the South West and West Midlands that are firmly in our sights will deliver another 1,500 homes. We will also be marking our 10th year by breaking ground on four important brownfield sites during the first half of 2025. We obtained detailed planning for this quartet of regeneration projects throughout the course of this year, totalling over 950 houses, apartments and co-living properties."

The company describes itself as an urban regeneration specialist, specifically targeting large, complex sites with unique history and character.

Construction work is set to complete at one of the company's other developments in Belgrave Village in central Birmingham during spring 2025. 

“Having delivered 1,000 homes on brownfield land during the past 24 months, we are well positioned to progress with our current growth trajectory and the implementation of our five-year business plan. We support the sentiment of the government’s NPPF announcement, but unforeseen pre-construction delays are still causing setbacks and will frustratingly impact the number of home completions Wavensmere had targeted to deliver during 2025.” 

Speaking at the launch of the scheme earlier in 2024, City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, Councillor Stephen Simkins, said: “The comprehensive plans being put forward by Wavensmere Homes for Canalside South reflect the national significance of this development opportunity, which occupies one of the most historic stretches of canal in the country. The redevelopment of this prime site will enable our residents to benefit from superb connectivity, amenities, and health and wellbeing opportunities at this wonderful heritage location.

“Bringing life back to redundant brownfield sites along our canal network is critical to boosting footfall into Wolverhampton city centre, fulfilling a key objective of our Canalside Delivery Partnership with the Canal & River Trust.”