The Happy Wanderer pub on Green Lanes was subject to arson attacks and anti-social behaviour since closing in 2017 due to poor trade.

It was demolished by the previous owner in September 2021, with the site aligned to City of Wolverhampton Council’s Vacant Properties Taskforce work to bring derelict sites back into use.

Black Country Housing Group (BCHG) seized the opportunity to purchase the land for affordable housing to rent, with Keon Homes constructing 13 two and three-bedroom houses, and six one-bedroom flats.

This week, the first nine houses were handed over to BCHG ready for the first tenants to move in at the end of this month.

Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Linda Leach, was invited to see the first of the finished homes alongside City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing, Councillor Steve Evans.

Cllr Evans said: “This is a prime example of the work we are doing through our vacant properties taskforce to bring derelict sites back into use to create a better environment for all.

“Our planners worked hard with the previous owners of this site, encouraging them to make it safe and remove the risk of further anti-social behaviour for the benefit of the local community in Bilston.

“We were delighted to see Black Country Housing Group and Keon Homes come on board to progress the site for much-needed affordable housing and seeing the first completed homes being handed over is great for everyone; supporting residents and boosting the local economy.”

Black Country Housing Group Chief Executive Designate, Adrian Eggington, said: “We are pleased to have built 19 brand new homes in Bilston, Wolverhampton, working in partnership with Keon Homes and City of Wolverhampton Council, supported by grant funding from Homes England.

“The mixture of one, two and three-bedroom affordable rented homes provide high quality, much-needed homes which are highly energy-efficient, giving the new occupiers a comfortable and affordable living experience as well as reducing overall environmental impact. Our new customers are thrilled to be moving in over the next few weeks."

Jim Woodsford, Planning and Pre-Development Manager at Keon Homes, said: “Providing much needed affordable homes on an otherwise redundant site is fantastic news for the area, especially given the site’s previous issues of anti-social behaviour.

“We have worked with the planning team at Wolverhampton Council from an early design inception stage to create a family-friendly development that we can all be proud of. Delivering affordable family homes is at the very heart of what we do at Keon Homes and we hope future residents enjoy the fruits of everyone’s hard work.”

The development has also been supported by West Midlands Police’s Secured by Design (SBD) initiative to meet high standards in preventing crime.

West Midlands Police Force Design Out Crime & Crime Reduction Manager, Mark Silvester, said: “Bilston Green Lanes is another fantastic new housing development and is testament to the support and collective work we have done with Wolverhampton Council, highlighting their continued dedication to creating safe and sustainable communities within the city.

“Secured by Design offers numerous benefits by focusing on integrating security measures from the outset of building projects, leading to reduced crime rates, increased public confidence, and cost-effective solutions.”