A proposal for a transformative scheme including 366 new homes and commercial space in the heart of Wolverhampton’s historic Canalside Quarter has been approved in principle today. The £65M proposal directed by build-to-rent developer Placefirst is for an ambitious residential scheme, to be located close to Wolverhampton’s new £150m transport
Willmott Dixon has won a £34 million council house building contract to deliver 266 new homes on a site in Wolverhampton. The company will be completing the project for WV Living on the site for the Wednesfield High School on Lakefield Road, Wednesfield. The new development, named ‘The Marches’, will
The development contract for Wolverhampton’s new modern office space, i9, has been secured by GRAHAM. The development will provide 50,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, designed by Glenn Howells Architects. “The appointment of GRAHAM offers the next step towards this much anticipated state of the art, Grade A office
A proposal for a transformative scheme including 366 new homes and commercial space in the heart of Wolverhampton’s historic Canalside Quarter has been approved in principle today. The £65M proposal directed by build-to-rent developer Placefirst is for an ambitious residential scheme, to be located close to Wolverhampton’s new £150m transport Interchange on land off Lower Horseley Fields in the city centre. The development will deliver the first phase of a canalside community as part of a major regeneration project in the area, providing a mix of townhouses, new build apartments and commercial space across five acres of brownfield land. The ambitious scheme, which will include the sensitive restoration of heritage canalside properties such as Union Mill, and major bio-diversity and environmental improvements, is designed by award-winning architecture practice jmarchitects with WSP as planning and heritage consultants. Planning permission is subject to the resolution of matters of detail, conditions and a s106 agreement. Placefirst aim to commence construction later this year. The proposed development will regenerate this historic canalside location, creating a new promenade, public open spaces, landscaping and the restoration of listed buildings. New pedestrian access to the canal towpath will be provided as well as commercial space for post-covid working practises to be supported. Build-to-rent developer Placefirst has worked collaboratively with the City of Wolverhampton Council and other stakeholders such as Canal and River Trust and West Midlands Combined Authority, as well as holding an online public consultation ahead of submission. David Mawson, chief executive for Placefirst commented: “We are thrilled to receive planning approval in principle for the commencement of this extensive, transformative development in Wolverhampton’s Canalside Quarter. This will be our first Midlands development and we are proud that it is situated on such a historic location where we can unearth the true potential of this brownfield area. “The vision for this waterside development, like with all of our residential proposals, is more than to build new homes, but also to create a thriving community in the heart of the city centre, providing a real alternative to homeownership where people will love to live. We look forward to the commencement of the project and welcoming residents to the area.” Councillor Stephen Simkins, City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “The approval in principle of these plans bring the transformational Canalside vision a step closer to reality. “They will deliver a nationally significant development that not only brings back into use a large parcel of brownfield land but also enables the city to take advantage of our fantastic waterways and the heritage that comes with it. “The Placefirst scheme will also generate around 150 jobs and a boost our economic recovery from Covid-19. “Urban living forms a critical part of how we are re-imagining our city centre and will help us meet the increasing demand for housing. “Canalside is a large and exciting opportunity that will require determined and skilful leadership with our partners to realise the opportunity.” For further information on Wolverhampton’s Canalside Quarter, please visit https://placefirst.co.uk/.
Willmott Dixon has won a £34 million council house building contract to deliver 266 new homes on a site in Wolverhampton. The company will be completing the project for WV Living on the site for the Wednesfield High School on Lakefield Road, Wednesfield. The new development, named ‘The Marches’, will include 67 affordable homes and comprise of one, two, three and four bedroom homes for sale. “This is fantastic news for WV Living and for the city, The Marches will provide much needed quality homes to rent and high quality homes to buy. WV Living is continuing to support the overall house building programme in the City of Wolverhampton and in appointing Willmott Dixon we will also see real, long-lasting benefits for the local community,” said Kate Martin, Director for Housing, City of Wolverhampton Council. “Willmott Dixon’s business commitment to social value and sustainable futures is a real strength and we are confident this development will also boost local business and skills, and add further pace to housing growth across the city,” added Kate Martin. Willmorr Dixon is working with BM3 Architecture on this project and the first homes are scheduled to be ready for tenants by the end of the year. 67 homes out of the total of 266 will be affordable. “We are delighted to be working with WV Living to develop and build over 260 new houses and apartments, creating new housing stock for the people of Wolverhampton. At Willmott Dixon, we also believe we have a purpose beyond profit and that includes leaving a lasting positive legacy in the areas where we work,” commented Simon Liversage, Director for Willmott Dixon in the Midlands. The development is part of WV Living’s plans to deliver more than 1,000 new homes across the city over four years. WV Living is also developing three further sites as part of its phase one developments, with 52 houses on the site of the former Danesmore Park Primary School in Ashmore Park, 25 at the former Ettingshall Primary School site, and 40 at the former Prouds Lane leisure centre site.
The development contract for Wolverhampton’s new modern office space, i9, has been secured by GRAHAM. The development will provide 50,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, designed by Glenn Howells Architects. “The appointment of GRAHAM offers the next step towards this much anticipated state of the art, Grade A office building for Wolverhampton. The i10 development has already proven that new occupiers are attracted to Wolverhampton and the state-of-the-art transport links of the Interchange will be a major attraction for those new occupiers,” said Steve Parry, managing director of Ion The scheme follows on from the success of the award-winning i10 complex on the opposite side of the road in the heart of the City of Wolverhampton Interchange. “Wolverhampton is undergoing a period of regeneration that is set to transform the city and attract further investment and jobs to the area. We are therefore pleased to have been appointed as the main contractor on the i9 – a significant new headquarters building that benefits from a prime location and high-spec office facilities. We look forward to working with the wider project team to deliver this new, sustainable commercial development for the city,” commented John Maguire, Regional Business Development Director for GRAHAM’s Birmingham office. Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for City Economy, City of Wolverhampton Council added: “The appointment of GRAHAM means we can look forward to i9 emerging at the heart of the city’s Interchange in 2019. It is another step towards our aspirations of creating a Commercial District in this area of the city and we want this building to become the design and quality benchmark for future developments in the city and to demonstrate our ambition for the city centre. This important site ideally lends itself to a distinctive, high-quality headquarters building.” The i9 development is expected to be completed in 2020.
