Family homes and shops are coming in final phase
The final phase of a £50m scheme to regenerate Park Wood is due to start this autumn.
The Wallis Fields development involves the demolition of 234 flats and retail units, which are being replaced with 202 new family homes, shops and community facilities.
In total 146 homes and 10 shops have been built in Wallis Avenue since the Golding Homes project started in 2013.
Now hoardings have started to go up around the old 1960s shopping parade and flats which are set to be demolished in September, and replaced with 56 modern homes and two additional shops.
Their completion, expected in early 2018, will mark the end of a £50m regeneration scheme to transform the heart of Park Wood.
There will be 18 two and threebedroom houses and 38 one and two-bedroom apartments, some of which will be rented on the open market or available for shared ownership.
The contract for the project has gone to Rydon, a construction company based in East Sussex.
Chris Blundell, director of regeneration and development at Golding Homes, said: “When any construction is involved there is a period of disruption, and people are keen for the work to be over as soon as possible, which we agree with. But overall reaction to the plans has been extremely positive.
“We are providing quality new homes for families, and residents in the surrounding areas feel the area itself has improved, and that’s the test of any regeneration project.
“People are proud to live in Park Wood.”
The 36 flats and 16 shops there have already been vacated, and affected residents rehomed.
Each evicted household received £5,000 in compensation, the standard fee set by the government.
The Wallis Fields scheme has been shortlisted among the top 60 best regeneration projects across the country by Inside Housing, which celebrates the best new builds.
Demolition of the block of flats between Longshaw Road and Bicknor Road
Construction of 77 new homes including 41 houses and 36 apartments
New shopping and community facilities
Demolition of existing shopping parade
Building of 56 new homes and two additional shops units