New Park Village estate today saw a historic milestone as the excavators moved in to start demolishing decaying 1960s maisonettes and pave the way for new homes.

It is part of a major redevelopment of council housing in the area that will see 205 out-dated residential properties flattened and replaced with 188 new energy-efficient homes.

Poor quality bungalows on Valley Road have already been removed by contractor DSM Demolition and now the main flats at Ellerton Walk, which sit within eight linked deck-access blocks each with integral garages at ground-floor level are being pulled down.

The regeneration will provide new two, three and four-bedroom homes for rent, as well as increased car parking and improved public open space at the heart of the estate, which will include a children’s play area, green gym and seating.

Under phase one of the masterplan 98 new homes will be constructed, while phase two will deliver 83 new properties. A site on Longford Road is earmarked for seven new bungalows.

The demolition works will pave the way for construction partner, Keon Homes, appointed through the council’s new development framework, to begin development of the new homes in summer 2025.

The £40million programme will be funded from the council’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital budget.

Steven Spencer, New Park Village resident, Member of New Park Village Committee and Resident Steering Group Member, said: “I have lived on New Park Village coming up to 27 years and I’m over the moon to see the demolition works well underway.

“The maisonettes are in a state of disrepair and I’m not sad to see them go. Residents are looking forward to new homes that are fit for families.”

Councillor Steve Evans, City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing, said: “This is a truly historic milestone for housing in our city that will transform the lives of residents at New Park Village.

“We are continuing to invest heavily in new and replacement council housing and these demolition works will pave the way for a very different looking New Park Village that will make a major difference to its residents.

“It forms part of our commitment to deliver good homes in well-connected neighbourhoods across the city.

“In the long-term, the redevelopment will contribute to the improvement of tenants living conditions with the provision of highly energy-efficient new

homes, better play areas and green space creating an environmentally friendly estate.”

The redevelopment scheme will be phased over several years to minimise disruption to residents.