Compound shift to trigger Smithgate start

City of Wolverhampton Council will relocate a works compound to Bell Street in a move that will allow developer ECF to begin enabling works for a 330-home initial phase of the flagship regeneration scheme.

Plans are being finalised by the council to relocate the compound from Peel Street/Market Square, where it is being used by the contractor delivering the £19m city centre improvement scheme in Darlington Street, Queen Square and Lichfield Street.

In the coming weeks the compound will move to the vacant Bell Street site until the city centre improvement works are completed in 2027.

This switch will pave the way for ECF – the joint venture between Muse, Homes England and L&G – to begin enabling works by the turn of the year on the Bicycle Works phase of Smithgate, which will feature 331 new homes along with retail & leisure units and public spaces overlooking Market Square.

Once all phases of Smithgate are completed, it will cover 12 acres of land linking School Street and Darlington Street to the area around Market Square. It will include up to 1,000 homes and 20,000 sq ft of retail, leisure and commercial space.

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As part of the city centre masterplan, the Bell Street site will continue to be promoted as a future development opportunity beyond 2027.

Cllr Chris Burden, City of Wolverhampton Council cabinet member for city development, jobs and skills, said: “Major regeneration is taking place and the relocation of this works compound to make way for the Smithgate scheme will mark a notable shift in gear for the delivery of our city centre vision.

“We have worked hard with our chosen developer to bring forward ambitious plans that will regenerate this key brownfield site and redefine urban living in our city.

“We can look forward to activity starting on site for the delivery of hundreds of new homes for local people – creating jobs, reshaping our city centre and boosting businesses.

“This comes on the back of a catalogue of regeneration schemes set to boost the city centre economy – the £61m City Learning Quarter will open to students next month, the ongoing city centre improvement works are progressing, and the £150m redevelopment of Canalside South is seeing the first homes coming out of the ground.”