Wolverhampton Council Approves £20 Million Regeneration for Aging WWII Bungalows
City of Wolverhampton Council has awarded a substantial £20 million contract to replace nearly 100 defective bungalows on the Lincoln Green estate in Bushbury. The post-Second World War prefabricated homes, originally intended as a temporary solution, have far exceeded their expected lifespan of 10 to 15 years, leading to severe structural issues.
Contract Awarded to Keon Homes for Extensive Replacement Project
Keon Homes, a social housing specialist, has been selected as the preferred contractor for this major regeneration effort. The project includes building 63 new bungalows at Lincoln Green, four two-bed maisonettes in School Lane, Bushbury, and 12 bungalows in Wood End, Wednesfield. This follows an earlier £11 million contract awarded to Keon Homes last year for constructing 36 bungalows on the same estate.
Structural Deficiencies Prompt Urgent Action
The old bungalows, constructed in the 1940s and 1950s to address post-war housing shortages, were declared "defective" under law in 2023. A mounting list of problems includes:
- Buckling walls compromising structural integrity
- Leaking and poorly insulated roofs leading to water damage
- Very poor thermal efficiency resulting in high energy costs
- Wet rot in floors causing safety hazards
Councillor Steve Evans, deputy leader and cabinet member for city housing, stated that the bungalows were in such poor condition that they could no longer be economically or satisfactorily maintained.
Phased Regeneration to Deliver Modern Housing
Once the second phase is completed, a total of 99 two- and three-bed bungalows will replace the 75-year-old crumbling structures. The new homes will be built in various locations, including Alleston Road, Grosvenor Road, Lincoln Green, School Lane, Wood End, and Portobello areas. The first new bungalows were constructed last year, with tenants receiving keys in late October, and up to 36 additional bungalows are expected to be completed by summer.
Broader Context of Wolverhampton's Housing Framework
This regeneration is part of Wolverhampton's ambitious £1 billion housing framework, which aims to replace over 4,000 outdated prefabricated homes across the city. Keon Homes secured its position as the council's top contractor through this framework, highlighting the scale of ongoing efforts to modernize housing stock and improve living conditions for residents.
