Countryside has submitted its full planning application to build hundreds of homes at Bilston Urban Village.

The award winning home builder and regeneration specialist has already been granted permission to begin enabling works next month.

If the residential planning application is approved, they will develop 421 homes across 27 acres of land south of Bilston town centre and the Black Country Route.

This follows investment by City of Wolverhampton Council and Homes England to bring the site forward for development through a range of major works, including the clearance of trees, former factory floors being broken up, the old railway embankment removed, and highways and drainage infrastructure being installed.

City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Economy, Councillor John Reynolds, said: "We are working closely with Countryside to finalise the scheme and this is another major milestone for housing development on Bilston Urban Village.

"Our plans to develop up to 500 homes on the site will make a significant impact in achieving our housing targets in the City of Wolverhampton.

"The council has spent a lot of time making sure there is good road access, and ensuring that, with a bus-only link, cycle ways and pedestrian routes, the new housing will be well connected to the town centre.

"The urban village is a key part of the wider regeneration of the city, bringing new homes, new jobs and more investment. It demonstrates our commitment to Bilston and ensures it will continue to be a thriving area."

John Gilbert, Regional Operations Director for Countryside's Midlands division, said: "With a wealth of experience in regeneration and community building, our aim is to fulfil the council's vision for rejuvenating the area by transforming this brownfield site into a high quality housing development.

"This scheme will play a critical role in the city's regeneration activity and, with our strong partnership model in place, the plans for Bilston Urban Village would provide residents with a vibrant, mixed-tenure neighbourhood, where the new homes are both affordable and accessible for a wide range of people."

People have moved into the 78 homes developed by Kier on 2 other Bilston Urban Village plots either side of the entrance to Carder Crescent.

Works are also underway on landscaping extensive areas of open space on the site, with a network of paths for walking and cycling being created, clearing overgrown trees and shrubs, and fencing to properly define and protect areas.

The first phases of Bilston Urban Village produced significant investment in the building of the Bert Williams Leisure Centre and South Wolverhampton and Bilston Academy - improving health and increasing opportunities. A commercial development plot fronting the Black Country Route and the newly named Bert Turner Boulevard linking the site with the town centre were also created.

This has been followed by the recently opened Marston's family pub/restaurant, the White Rabbit, and a planning application to build a new Loxdale Primary School on the site.

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  • released: Tuesday 24 July, 2018