Wavensmere Homes has received planning approval for its £150m residential-led Canalside South development in Wolverhampton.
The company intends to build more than 530 new homes – 20% designated affordable – on the 17.5-acre former industrial site, which benefits from frontage onto the Wyrley & Essington Canal and the Wolverhampton Branch of the Birmingham Main Line Canal.
Wavensmere will construct 378 two- and three-bedroom townhouses and 145 one-and two-bedroom apartments alongside a building offering 10 co-living units – each containing six bedrooms. Disused railway arches on the site will also be converted into into 14,400 sq ft of lettable commercial space.
Designed by Glancy Nicholls Architects, the low-rise development will also open up a new pedestrian route to the city core.
Stephen Simkins, leader of City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “Wavensmere Homes submitted a quality and comprehensive planning application that will deliver for Wolverhampton. This project is fundamental to our brownfield first strategy, driving investment into the Green Innovation Corridor, and it will also fulfil a key objective of our Canalside Delivery Partnership with the Canal & River Trust.
“We can now look forward to work starting on site. Bringing life back to the redundant sites along our canal network is critical to boosting footfall into our city centre. As one of the largest new housing developments in the Midlands, Wavensmere’s £150m investment will enable Wolverhampton residents to benefit from superb connectivity, amenities, and health and wellbeing opportunities at this wonderful heritage location.”
James Dickens, managing director of Wavensmere Homes, added: “The experience of working with this city council – and in particular the planning department – has been unprecedented. Wolverhampton is a city that is open for business. As a timeline, Wavensmere was announced as the new developer for this nationally significant project last December, and we are now in a position to confirm that we will be starting work at Canalside South before the year is out. This scheme will be a catalyst for a new wave of ambitious city living, which is vital to see the Wolverhampton Pound spent locally.
“It’s the level of proactivity and can-do approach that made this happen, which has been brought about through a shared vision, great people, and the council’s strong leadership team at the helm. As a result of this positive and efficient experience, we are committed to invest a lot more in the city of Wolverhampton.”
Andrew Chandler, development manager at the Canal & River Trust, said: “We are delighted to be working collaboratively with City of Wolverhampton Council and Wavensmere Homes to bring forward this transformational, high quality canalside residential-led scheme which will deliver generous well-connected walkways and public open spaces. This scheme will transform derelict brownfield land, while connecting more people to the local canal network and its rich biodiversity.
“Canalside South will positively influence the quality of future development around our canals. It will also demonstrate the positive impact that water has on those who live and use the waterways, encouraging more people to engage with their local canal and at the same time help support what we do as a charity and show that life really is better by water.”
