Work continues on former Caparo site in Walsall
Work is slowly progressing to transform the site of an old Black Country steelworks into a housing estate – despite delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The £44 million Lockside scheme will see 252 homes built at the 16-acre site of the former Caparo Engineering works in Walsall.
It follows a multi-million-pound grant from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) under its ‘brownfield first’ policy.
Remediation works started back at the start of October 2020 which included demolition and extensive earthworks, to prepare the site for housebuilding.
The development will include 78 affordable homes and is expected to take five years to complete, with the first homes ready by July 2021.
The estate will feature one, two, three and four-bedroom homes, with 132 available for sale on the open market.
Meanwhile whg will take on 120 properties including, 32 for private rent, 38 for affordable rent and shared ownership and a 50-unit housing scheme for the elderly.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, said: "Before coronavirus struck, the West Midlands economy was growing fast, living standards were improving and there was a rapid expansion in house building.
"The pandemic has hit hard but we must not be knocked off course. Throughout the crisis we have continued to use Government funding to not only unlock derelict sites like this one for new homes and jobs but to also give local people the skills they need to work in the industries of the future."
