Defiant resident leaves derelict Moxley housing estate

The former Harrowby Road estate in Moxley was almost completely demolished around eight years ago, but one householder would not budge.

An agreement has now been reached and he has vacated his property, allowing work on 231 homes to push ahead under regeneration plans.

The site has become a long-standing eyesore and a dumping ground for fly-tippers. It was also taken over by an illegal travellers camp last year.

But the development being led by Walsall Housing Group is now forging ahead, with preparation work taking place. It is expected that it will take 18 months to complete the project.

Mark Tranter, head of development at Walsall Housing Group, said: "We are delighted to confirm that work has been able to start on site at Harrowby Road. This follows the last resident moving out.

"In partnership with Kier Partnership homes, we're now on site working to build 231 new homes, with a mixture of two and three-bedroom houses and apartments. The Harrowby Road scheme is one of five sites we will be developing as part of a £42 million project, which has been made possible thanks to grant funding through the Homes and Communities Agency Affordable Homes Programme 2015."

Darlaston South councillor Paul Bott said it would be a big boost to the area, adding he would like to see apprentices recruited during the construction process to tackle issues of unemployment in the area. Councillor Bott said: "We welcome how many houses are going to be built there. We are pleased to see that development is finally up and running in Harrowby Road.

"Now this resident is gone there is nothing to hold the development up."

Overall, around 340 homes have already been planned as part of a partnership with Kier. A total of 186 will be open market sale homes and 154 will be affordable units.

Do you know the last resident standing on the former Harrowby Road estate in Moxley? Contact walsall@expressandstar.co.uk with information.