The first homes on Wolverhampton's landmark Canalside South scheme are set to be launched to market. Credit: Wavensmere / Glancy Nicholls

Wavesmere launches £150m canal-side scheme

30 March 2026 16:02 Mike Sheridan Comments (0)

The redevelopment of a former British Steel site in Wolverhampton is nearing a major landmark with the launch of sales for the Canalside South scheme, with the first residents due to move in next year.

More than 500 homes are currently under construction at the Qualcast Road site, a former crane foundry which was bought up by City of Wolverhampton Council in 2020, following the collapse of British Steel a year earlier.

Birmingham-based developer Wavensmere Homes kicked off delivery of the scheme last year, and has now launched the first 120 two- and three-bedroomed town houses, set to be completed by summer 2027.

Around 60 houses were sold off-plan to priority investors last year, racking up more than £15m in sales.

The development is one of the largest regeneration projects of its kind in the region, part of a council-backed masterplan for the canal-side area which includes the delivery of around 1,000 homes.

Designed by Glancy Nicholls Architects, the low-rise development will include seven acres of green space and open up a new pedestrian route to the city, while also regenerating former railway arches as 14,400 sq ft of lettable commercial space.

The full regeneration and build programme is planned to be completed by the end of 2031.

Donna Smith, sales director for Wavensmere Homes, said demand for the scheme had already been “extremely high”, due to good levels of demand for city centre living in Wolverhampton.

“We are so excited to be launching family homes for sale at Canalside South,” she said.

“We will begin the process of inviting the 2,000 people who have already registered their interest to get financially qualified. They will then be able to choose their preferred plot, which could be close to the amenities, landscaped open space, or with views of the canal.

“The demand for the houses and apartments here is extremely high, which reflects the pent-up demand for city living in Wolverhampton.”

On completion, the scheme will include seven acres of vibrant green space and open up a new pedestrian route to the city core – reducing the previous walk time by 20 minutes – and igniting new investment into a commercial corridor.

The overall vision for the Wolverhampton Canalside masterplan is the delivery of around 1,000 homes to meet both the city and wider region’s housing needs, with sustainability and place-making at its heart.