Tenants have started moving into the first new council homes built on the Heath Town estate in 54 years as part of City of Wolverhampton Council’s regeneration programme.

It forms part of a major transformation of the estate, which has seen an extensive demolition programme of vacant buildings, existing residential blocks undergo major improvements by Wolverhampton Homes, and the creation of three new play areas and a football pitch.

A mixture of 40, two-bedroom and four-bedroom council houses are being built across three sites on Hobgate Road and one site on Tithe Croft, off Chervil Rise, by energy and regeneration specialist Equans.

The first 18 homes on Hobgate Road have been handed over to Wolverhampton Homes to manage and the first tenants have started moving in.

It is the first phase of a total of more than 150 new homes to be built on the estate over the coming years, with the council set to develop other sites across the estate.

All of the new homes will have their own car parking space and the majority will come with gardens.

Yolanda Masiyiwa is one of the first tenants to move into a new two-bedroom house on Hobgate Road with her partner and autistic daughter, having previously lived in one of the flats on the estate.

She said: “I’m really proud and feel really privileged to have one of these new builds. I’m so excited to start building our new life. We’ve got a baby coming as well and this is a new start altogether.

“The new homes are really nice. They are really changing up the city and Heath Town, compared to what it used to be. I’ve lived in Wolverhampton since 2012 so it’s quite a change and it’s good to see all the improvements.

“There’s a stereotype about Heath Town and this changes that - all the changes to the flats and these new builds, with more changes soon.”

Councillor Steve Evans, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Housing, said: “One of our key priorities is to increase the number of good homes in well-connected neighbourhoods across the city.

“The regeneration of the Heath Town is helping achieve that and it is heartening to see how it is changing the lives of families for the better.

“The transformation of the estate over the last few years has been built on the strong sense of community here and we have delivered improvements and new homes the residents can be proud of.”

Shaun Aldis, Chief Executive of Wolverhampton Homes, added: “We are thrilled to welcome the first tenants into the new council homes on the estate, marking a significant milestone in the Heath Town regeneration programme.

“These homes symbolise the positive transformation taking place in our community. By providing high-quality and well-connected neighbourhoods, we are creating a brighter future for our residents.

“The regeneration of the Heath Town estate is a testament to the strong sense of community here and the power of collaborative efforts."

Other works already completed as part of the redevelopment include the demolition of walkways and garages in the Hobgate Road area of the estate and the refurbishment of the ground and lower ground floors of Ling House to provide new office, meeting and activity space for Hope Family Centre.

The Heathfield Park Neighbourhood Plan was one of the main drivers for the remodelling of the estate.  Residents, consulted through the neighbourhood planning process, prioritised new affordable family homes as well as play areas and improved security.

Image caption: Tenant Yolanda Masiyiwa (centre) takes the key to her new Heath Town estate home from Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Housing, Cllr Steve Evans (right), and Wolverhampton Homes Head of Tenancies and Communities, Sophie Munn (left)