A flagship Wolverhampton regeneration scheme has been hailed as a “gem of a place” by Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, during a visit to the city recently.
The Mayor of the West Midlands visited the city to hear about plans for the third and final phase of residential development at the Royal Quarter, where hundreds of new homes are already being built in and around the Grade II Listed former Royal Hospital.
He met with Midlands’ landlord whg, Morro Partnerships, City of Wolverhampton Council and the YMCA to talk about proposals for the paint firm sites S.J. Dixon & Son on Cleveland Road. If the plans are approved, the locally listed primary building, which was originally built in 1885 as a carriage making factory, will be converted into 30 apartments owned and managed by the YMCA. An additional 63 homes will be built on surrounding land by whg.
The redevelopment of the Dixon’s site will mark a final piece of the jigsaw for the area, which is paving the way for a new gateway into the city. In phase 1, completed in 2021, 150 affordable homes were delivered at the former bus station on Cleveland Road. A new YMCA was also built, providing 63 apartments for young people, a 115-place day nursery, community training area and commercial units. The second phase, which is currently ongoing, includes 48 apartments for over 55s within the Grade II Listed former hospital, and 154 homes for affordable rent and shared ownership on land to the rear.
The new place, which is a collaborative effort between Morro Partnerships, Homes England, WMCA, whg, the YMCA, City of Wolverhampton Council and local charity All Saints Action Network will eventually see almost 500 new homes built.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “This is a gem of a place and I’ve watched this scheme with interest as it has come together over the last few years.
“It’s good news that new life will be breathed into this building — as a thriving community hub where local people can live and work. I’m pleased to see the progress that’s been made so far on this important site and I look forward to seeing the hundreds of affordable homes that are set to be created in the months and years ahead.”
Rebecca Bennett Casserley, whg’s Corporate Director of Development, commented: “The proposed regeneration of the Dixon’s sites enables us to build on the success of the first two phases and will complement the housing options already available in the Royal Quarter.
“We invest heavily in creating vibrant places fit for the long term and want to ensure there is a diversity of housing on offer that enables people to move through house types and tenures as their needs change. We don’t want people to move out of the area where they have built their lives and close connections.
“In this tight knit geographical area we are able to offer a complete package for the whole community, from young people in need of additional support with the YMCA right through to our wellbeing scheme for the over 55s, meaning residents can set down roots and feel part of the community.”
Steve Bavington, CEO of YMCA Black Country Group said: “We are excited and privileged to be involved in this landmark scheme, and really look forward to the difference this will make, bringing to fruition the creation of 30 Y-Living flats for young people.
“We developed the concept of Y-Living accommodation in response to the evolving needs of young homeless people, and the need to enable single young people especially with the opportunity to maintain an independent and settled lifestyle, whilst living and working benefit free.
“Aimed at single homeless young people aged 18-35 who are in education, employment or training, Y-Living provides the opportunity to live in high quality transitional accommodation, alongside likeminded individuals with a landlord they can trust.”
City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, Councillor Stephen Simkins, said: “Strong collaborative working has delivered a fantastic scheme on the former bus depot site and transformed the former Royal Hospital and the area around it. We will now continue to work with all partners to support the proposed third phase of residential development.
“It is an excellent model that is delivering new affordable housing — in line with our city housing strategy to help local people get homes in well-connected neighbourhoods — and acts as a beacon for the level of quality and type of housing and community provision we want to roll out across the city.
“There is a lot planned for the city, and the Royal site sits adjacent to the new transport interchange providing a key gateway to the city centre and helping drive further investment to give our residents and businesses opportunities to thrive.”
