Midlands-based Willmott Dixon has been appointed to deliver a £34 million contract that will see 266 new homes built for WV Living, the local housing company, delivering new homes for the City of Wolverhampton Council.

The company is extending its strong regional track record to deliver The Marches, a combination of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes – 67 of which will be affordable – on the site of the former Wednesfield High School on Lakefield Road.

The company is teaming up with BM3 Architecture to create the new development, with work starting on site shortly so that the first homes are ready to welcome residents in late 2019.

Established in 2016 with a mission is “to design and build homes you will love”, this will be the largest of WV Living’s first phase sites and plays a crucial role in their aspiration to build over 1,000 new homes over the next four years that assist with regeneration in Wolverhampton by providing good quality new homes.

Simon Liversage, director at Willmott Dixon, said:

“We have delivered over £200 million of projects in the Midlands in recent years and our team are looking forward to working with WV Living to develop houses and apartments that bring much-needed new places to live for the people of Wolverhampton. In the process we’ll also focus on supporting regional companies and jobs with our ‘local pound’ commitment.
“WV Living’s determination to utilise existing brownfield sites within the city plays a significant role in supporting the redevelopment of Wolverhampton, reclaiming and repurposing discussed sites such as this.”

WV Living is also developing three further sites as part of its phase one developments, with 52 homes on the site of the former Danesmore Park Primary School in Ashmore Park, 25 new homes at the former Ettingshall Primary School site, and 40 homes to be delivered at the former Prouds Lane Leisure Centre site.

Kate Martin, director for housing, City of Wolverhampton Council, said:

“This is fantastic news for WV Living and for the city, The Marches will provide much-needed quality homes to rent and high-quality homes to buy.
“WV Living is continuing to support the overall house building programme in the City of Wolverhampton and in appointing Willmott Dixon we will also see real, long-lasting benefits for the local community.
“Willmott Dixon’s business commitment to social value and sustainable futures is a real strength and we are confident this development will also boost local business and skills, and add further pace to housing growth across the city.”