Work is progressing well on 50 new council homes which are being built in Wednesbury.

Sandwell Council is working with Seddon Construction Ltd to develop the site in Carisbrooke Road, Friar Park. The £7.5 million development is made up of four two-bedroom apartments, 28 two-bedroom houses, 15 three-bedroom houses and three four-bedroom houses.

Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for housing, visiting the site, said:

“This is another example of the council working with a partner to increase the quality and choice of housing in Sandwell. Schemes such as this are part of the council’s wider affordable housing development programme to increase the number of council-owned homes available.

“By the end of March next year, we will have built 125 much-needed new council homes during 2018/19 with another 274 in the pipeline during the next two years - 2019-2021."

The site was previously occupied by a high-rise block, Carisbrooke House and two maisonette blocks which were demolished by the council some years ago. Rob Moore, business unit director - housing partnerships at Seddon, added:

"We're delighted to be working with Sandwell Council on this very important project for local, quality housing. The project is progressing very well and our close working with the Sandwell Council project team is demonstrating our joint commitment to delivering real investment for local people."

Funding for the project has come from the council’s Housing Revenue Account Investment Programme, which is made up from council rents, and Homes England.The first phase of four homes will be handed over to the council early next year.

The entire development is scheduled to be completed by June 2019.