Pictured above: Artist's impressions show how the
development will look
A multi-million pound canalside development will transform prime
land at the gateway to a West Midlands' town on the cusp of a
renaissance.
The £4.2million Walsall Housing Group (whg) development
will drive the regeneration of Brownhills and set the standard for
future homes in the area. Work has now begun on site and the first
flats will be available in May 2012.
The cosmopolitan scheme of 47 two bedroom apartments,
landscaping and a gated car park for residents has been designed to
take advantage of views over Wyrley and Essington Canal, which runs
alongside the site in High Street.
Funded and supported by by whg, Walsall Council and the Homes
and Communities Agency (HCA), it will complete the gateway into the
town, standing opposite newly opened Knaves Court, an older person
extra care scheme.
Architect Walker Troup has planned the modern apartments to sit
in intimate clusters to promote community spirit among
neighbours.
Carole Wildman, whg's Director of Regeneration and Development,
said: "This is a gateway development, with an exciting design which
cleverly compliments the surroundings and makes a bold statement
too. Artist impressions show it will be a significant
building, with a definite street presence. It's sure to
become a local landmark."
Councillor Adrian Andrew, Walsall Council Deputy Leader and
cabinet member for regeneration, said: "This is brilliant news.
We've helped get this development to where it is now and have put
in a £160,000 grant to make it happen. We've put our money on
the table to make it work too."
Councillor Alan Paul, Walsall Council lead member for whg in
Aldridge and Brownhills, said he warmly welcomed the plan, backed
by the Brownhills project reference group which is made up of
council officers, elected members and residents.
He added: "It's much needed and something I've been
working towards for many years."
Contractor Mansell Construction Services Ltd will use local
skills and labour to support the borough economy and offer training
opportunities in construction.
The development will be the first visible result of much work
behind the scenes by whg, the council and the HCA, the national
housing and regeneration agency for England, to rejuvenate the
former mining town. The homes form part of an ambitious masterplan
to regenerate the area, with new housing at the forefront of the
blueprint.
Assad Hamed, investment and regeneration manager for the HCA,
said: "I am thrilled that our funding is enabling these much-needed
new homes to be delivered for the local community. Our investment
of £432,000 into this scheme compliments our £12m
investment into Knaves Court opposite, creating a real sense of
place for the people of Brownhills."
There will be a range of tenure options available in order to
appeal to a wide audience of potential residents. A dozen
apartments will be available to buy and the remaining 35 will be
for affordable rent through whg's choice based lettings system,
choose & move. Of those, 24 will be let at social rent
level and the remaining 11 will be for market rent and be
part-furnished, including carpets, curtains and some white
goods.
Four ground floor properties have been specifically designed to
accommodate people with a disability. To ensure the homes meet the
specific needs of the eventual residents, whg and Walsall Council
will identify them early and work with them to help individually
tailor their flats.