Demolition of estate closer with £1m deal

Plans to transform the rundown estate into modern housing have been afoot for several years with 368 homes earmarked for the site.

While some of the sprawling site has already been cleared, the huge Chervil Rise shopping precinct at the heart of the estate still stands including the housing office, GP surgery and community centre.

The contract for its demolition - worth £941,367.55 has now been awarded to Birmingham-based DSM Demolition.

Garages, a underground car park, a disused gym and 36 maisonettes will also be cleared as part of the work to be carried out between October 23 until August next year.

[council statement]

Under the terms of the contract, DSM Demolition is required to remove asbestos from all buildings within the site, demolish buildings and then to carry out 'reinstatement works.'

These include backfilling of voids, making up levels, the supply and installation of fencing together, the construction of footpaths, creating extended car parking areas and landscaping.

The Heath Town Estate, which spreads either side of Wednesfield Road, was completed in 1969.

In all there was 1,191 properties including high rise flats, low rise flats in Grove Street, maisonettes and a small number of houses at Inkerman Street and Long Ley.

Subject to planning permission the new homes will go on the former Long Ley School site and that of the adventure playground in Hobgate Road.

The Qualcast Road, Alma Street, Wyrley Street areas and the Former Duke of York site on Wednesfield Road have also been chosen for development.

Wolverhampton council stepped in to lead the estate's redevelopment earlier this year after just one developer applied to take on the site during a formal bidding process.

There will be a mixture of one and two bedroom apartments, two bedroom bungalows as well as two, three and four bedroom houses.