Lucy Whetton and her two children have swapped a cramped two-bedroom flat for a brand-new three-bedroom council house on Waveney Gardens in Penn, Wolverhampton. The move means the family no longer has to double up in bedrooms, and Ms Whetton finally has her own space for the first time since her daughter was young.
A three-bedroom home after years of overcrowding
Ms Whetton’s previous home was a two-bedroom flat, which meant sharing a bedroom with her daughter. Her 19-year-old son also had to share the small living arrangements, leaving little privacy for anyone. The new house offers separate bedrooms for all three of them, as well as a garden and a safer environment for the children to play.
“I’ve got two children, a son, who is 19, and a daughter, and I desperately needed a three-bedroom home as I was in a two-bedroom flat,” Ms Whetton said. “The children love it and I now have my own space and my daughter’s not in with me anymore. It’s very safe around here and the kids like playing outside.”
Ms Whetton is one of the first residents to move into the new development, which has been built to meet a high standard of energy efficiency and affordability.
What has been built at Waveney Gardens
The Waveney Gardens development consists of 17 new council homes in total. The mix of properties includes:
- Nine three-bedroom houses
- Two one-bedroom bungalows
- Two two-bedroom bungalows
- Four two-bedroom houses
According to City of Wolverhampton Council, the homes are let at affordable rents. The development aims to address a range of housing needs, from single people looking for a bungalow to families requiring larger accommodation. All of the properties have been handed over to local residents following completion of the project.
Sustainable construction with timber frames and heat pumps
The new homes have been constructed by Morro Partnerships Limited using modern timber frame techniques and sustainable building methods. Each property carries a high energy-efficiency rating and benefits from air source heat pumps, as well as solar panels with battery storage. These features are expected to lower utility bills for tenants, making the homes more affordable to run.
Gavin Ward, West Midlands Operations Director at Morro Partnerships, said: “Delivering sustainable homes and helping communities thrive is our core focus at Morro. Choosing timber frame construction for this scheme not only accelerated delivery but also ensured the homes are more energy-efficient and cost-effective for future residents.”
Mr Ward added: “Building with the future in mind is a responsibility we take seriously, and we are excited to be working with the council to deliver much needed homes in the area.”
Council and government backing for new housing
Councillor Steve Evans, Deputy Leader of City of Wolverhampton Council and Cabinet Member for City Housing and Assets, described the completion of the homes as “fantastic”. He said the development provides high-quality, energy-efficient homes for affordable rent, meeting local demand and giving residents access to safe and sustainable housing.
“By working with partners and utilising modern construction methods, we are continuing to deliver new council homes that support our communities and improve the lives of residents across Wolverhampton,” Cllr Evans said.
The scheme has been supported by a contribution of just over £1 million from Homes England, the government agency responsible for housing. That funding has enabled the council to deliver a greater number of high-quality council houses in the city, reinforcing its commitment to expanding affordable housing stock.
For Lucy Whetton and her family, the new home represents a fresh start. “It’s very safe around here,” she said, “and the kids like playing outside.”
