The first homes have already been sold - before they have even been finished - at the multi million pound Bilston Urban Village.

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Kier is developing 78 units comprising 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom properties located on the west side of Dudley Street, either side of the entrance to Carder Crescent.

Before the doors opened for the first time to the show home this week, 17 homes had been sold.

They sit on the first 2 plots of land made available by City of Wolverhampton Council to deliver up to 450 homes on Bilston Urban Village, which sits south of the town centre and Black Country Route.

Councillor Peter Bilson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing and Assets, said: "This is great news for Bilston and the City of Wolverhampton.

"It is very satisfying to see the first new homes close to completion on this site, and to already have achieved sales shows how high the demand for good quality housing is.

"Our plans to develop 450 homes on the Bilston Urban Village site will make a significant impact in achieving our housing targets in the City of Wolverhampton.

"Everything a developer would want is available on site ready for them to come and build houses.

"The council has spent a lot of time making sure there is good road access, and ensuring that, with a bus only link, cycle ways and pedestrian routes, the new housing will be well connected to the town centre.

"The urban village is a key part of the wider regeneration of the city, bringing new homes, new jobs and more investment. It demonstrates our commitment to Bilston and ensures it will continue to be a thriving area."

Chris King, Managing Director of Kier Living Central, added: "It is great to see such strong sales performance at Bilston Urban Village so early on in the development.

"Kier have focused on providing high quality design and materials to create homes that offer a liveable and flexible space for residents from day one. It's clear to see that purchasers recognise and appreciate the strength of our homes which provide a level of finish and specification that surpasses that of many of our competitors.  

"The pace that has been set is a testament to the homes that Kier is developing here at Bilston Urban Village, coupled with the investment that has been made by City of Wolverhampton Council in the surrounding area to ensure that everything a vibrant community needs to thrive is close at hand."

The Bilston Urban Village advanced works programme to remediate a further 27 acres of brownfield land for residential use was completed in June 2016 and the council hopes to announce in the coming months who will develop the remaining plots.

The advanced works programme was undertaken by the council, with additional funding from the Homes and Communities Agency and the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership.

It saw major changes to levels across the site, new road and drainage installed, former factory floors broken up and some treatment of former mine workings.

The Urban Village development will also include extensive areas of open space, footpaths and a water feature.

The first phase of Bilston Urban Village produced significant investment in the building of the Bert Williams Leisure Centre and South Wolverhampton and Bilston Academy - improving health and increasing opportunities. A commercial development plot fronting the Black Country Route and the direct pedestrian linkage of the site with the town centre was also created.

  • released: Thursday 13 April, 2017