Work to finally start on homes at derelict Walsall Caparo site
Work will soon start on building hundreds of new homes in Walsall on a derelict site that has been sitting empty for more than a decade, developers have said.
More than 250 homes will be built on the former Caparo engineering site next to the A34 Green Lane, developers have finally confirmed, with work expected to start next year.
The multi-million pound scheme has been in the pipeline for years, but plans were unveiled on Monday as part of a joint venture partnership between Anthem Homes, owned by Walsall Housing Group (whg), and housing developer Lovell.
It is the joint venture's first scheme and will see the housing developer and whg subsidiary pool their resources.
Whg’s chief executive Gary Fulford said: “We are always looking at new and creative ways to tackle the housing shortage.
"This innovative partnership will enable us to ramp up our development programme and help provide more good quality and affordable homes for families in Walsall, contributing to an inclusive growth agenda.”
The brownfield site has been backed as an ideal location for new homes by West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and the West Midlands Combined Authority.
It is due to feature a range of homes to suit different living circumstances.
Plans for 250 homes were given outline planning permission by Walsall Council in October last year but there has been little progress since then.
The 16.5 acre Caparo site in Birchills was put on the market after its owners applied for planning permission for 252 homes.
Lovell regional managing director Stuart Penn added: “The partnership enables us to pool our respective strengths and puts us in an even better position to deliver the high-quality new homes, available across a range of tenures, which are so urgently needed across the Midlands.
“We look forward to working closely in partnership with Anthem Homes on the JV’s first scheme, creating much-needed new Black Country homes at Caparo which occupies a key position in the Walsall – Wolverhampton growth corridor.
“We expect the JV partnership to make a significant contribution to the West Midlands Combined Authority’s goal of delivering 215,000 new homes by 2031.”
Whg has said work could start on the development next year.
