Former Walsall estate set for next phase of £8m revamp
An £8 million deal to deliver 300 homes and improve green spaces in Walsall's Goscote Corridor is set to be given the go-ahead.
Walsall Council is being given £8.8 million from the Black Country Growth Deal in order to carry out major work that will see more homes built on the former Goscote Estate in Blakenall, alongside improvements to parks and playing fields.
The area is the subject of a 10-year regeneration plan that was first mooted in 2007 and began in 2012. Of the £8.8 million, £7 million will be used by Walsall Housing Group (WHG) to build 300 homes.
The remaining money will be spent in this financial year on open space improvements, mainly on Swannies Field and The Lea. This will see new outdoor equipment such as play areas, skate park, a trim trail, a football pitch and a multi-use games area built.
Blakenall councillor Pete Smith said: "£8.8m to regenerate the old Goscote Estate and enhance facilities on our green belt is a tremendous boost to our ward. Four years ago we almost lost the green belt to the developers and even local councillors were prepared to see private housing on The Lea.
"It must be said that, credit where credit is due, Mike Bird's administration listened to local residents and moved forward with a new plan that saved the green belt and ensured a better balance of homes for rent as well as for sale."
A cabinet meeting held today was expected to see the council agree to the terms of the deal and start looking ahead to the work. It is hoped that work on the 300 homes will start in late 2016.
Walsall Council leader Mike Bird said: "This is another example of us carrying out regeneration works in an area that has previously missed out on such work."
The ongoing regeneration of the Goscote Lane Corridor is the largest residential development scheme in the borough.
Plans were drawn up for the land two years ago after the former estate stood empty for years.
Demolition of around 280 properties on the old Goscote estate started in 2007,
When work is completed, WHG will have invested more than £42 million building new homes in the zone, including £19m on the new Waters Keep Estate.
