Walsall Housing Group to go ahead with up to 350 new homes

Affordable homes provider Walsall Housing Group (WHG) has confirmed that it is in the design stages of a third and final phase of its Goscote regeneration project, which could deliver up to 350 additional homes.

The organisation said it planned to start construction of the properties, in north Walsall, in spring 2017. No contractor has been appointed.

Director of development Mark Tranter said WHG had last year secured £250m of investment on the capital markets, more than half of which would pay for a planned expansion of its development activity.

“[Phase three of Goscote] is currently in the design stages and will be subject to consultation with the local community in order to determine future housing demand,” he said.

“Although the masterplan states 350 homes, this will be affected by the design specification.

“The final phase is scheduled to commence onsite in spring 2017 with completion anticipated in early 2021.”

Tranter added that funding for Goscote included an £8.1m Local Enterprise Partnership grant earmarked for enhancing the wider environment and supporting regeneration activity.

WHG also received £2.7m from the Homes and Communities Agency’s Affordable Homes Programme for its work in Goscote.

The redevelopment of Goscote follows the demolition of earlier properties in the neighbourhood.

Phase one is almost complete, and has seen Galliford Try deliver 29 homes.

Keepmoat is delivering a 412-home second phase of the scheme, which includes 235 properties for open-market sale and 177 for affordable rent. It is due for completion in November 2018.