Dudley Council to build homes for outright sale for first time in decades

The homes for sale project will see the council invest £9.7 million to build 59 homes for sale on the open market and 20 affordable homes in the borough.

The properties will be developed on four plots – the site of the Mere Centre in Stourbridge, Amblecote House in Brettell Lane, Turner House in Dudley and St Thomas' Network in Dudley.

The expected return on investment will be ploughed into boosting the council's resources to improve and support council services. The scheme will be discussed at Dudley Council's cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Councillor Laura Taylor, cabinet member for housing, said: "This is a major decision for Dudley. It’s the first time in decades the authority is able to pursue a project to build homes for outright sale at market value, alongside our ongoing project to build new affordable council homes.

“We’re confident we can deliver the homes that people want at affordable prices. This is an exciting time for us and any return on our investment will be used to support future housing investment as well as boosting general fund reserves to continue to improve council services for all of our residents."

The council has also vowed a "brownfield first" approach to protect the borough's green belt, while plans to identify key employment and housing gather pace.

The Black Country Core Strategy is also set to be discussed by cabinet members next week, outlining the next stages of the study – which includes working with neighbouring councils to identify land within the existing urban area with the potential for development. Council chiefs have vowed to "leave no stone unturned" in identifying brownfield sites to develop housing and business.

Dudley Council leader Patrick Harley added: "Critically, we need to do everything we can to protect the greenbelt in Dudley borough. That is why I have made it very clear that we need to leave no stone unturned in making sure we look at every aspect of brownfield sites.

“Our brownfield first approach will not only make sure that Dudley plays a big part in shaping the future of housing and the growth of businesses in the Black Country, but at the same time we make sure we do everything we can to protect as much of the borough’s greenspaces as far as we possibly can.”

Once adopted, the Black Country Core Strategy will outline where new homes and businesses should be built in the four boroughs through to 2036.