The proposal would see council services in older buildings at the former Loxdale Primary School site in Bilston and Stowheath Day Training Centre in East Park relocated to new purpose built facilities at the Hickman Avenue Depot in East Park, improving service operation and efficiencies.
Site clearance and remediation of the land would then be carried out to enable the sale of the land to development partners for the delivery of new energy efficient homes by modern methods of construction.
The new development at Hickman Avenue will enable taxi licensing to relocate from the former Loxdale Primary School and the catering kitchens to move from Stowheath Day Training Centre into light industrial units alongside street lighting and catering & cleaning services, boosting jobs and training opportunities for local people.
The majority of funding for the scheme is expected to come from external grants, with the Government’s One Public Estate (OPE) initiative supportive of the scheme.
It is hoped, subject to planning approvals, construction of the new units at Hickman Avenue will start during 2024, with the relocation and land remediation of the other two sites being completed later that year to pave the way for new homes.
The Council’s Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, said: “This is an exciting scheme that makes the best use of council assets and aligns with our policy of developing new homes on brownfield land.
“More importantly it will enable the development of more and better affordable homes for key workers in the Bilston and East Park areas of the city.
“It also supports our plans to regenerate the East Park Gateway along the Willenhall Road.
“Hundreds of construction jobs and apprenticeship opportunities will be created, and the aim is to develop a net zero carbon scheme that supports the council’s climate change agenda.”
The report will be discussed at next Wednesday’s (March 22) Cabinet Resources Panel meeting.
