Construction is back underway at GreenSquareAccord’s Eagle Works development in Willenhall, where 51 affordable homes are being built on the site of a former industrial works.
The scheme, located on Somerford Place, first broke ground in spring 2023. However, progress stalled after the original contractor appointed to deliver the homes went into liquidation. Now, the housing provider’s in-house construction team has taken over the project, with work recommencing to bring much-needed affordable housing to the area.
David Norris, Head of Construction Services, said: “After an unforeseen delay, we are back on site at Somerford Place and working hard to deliver these new homes for Willenhall. Following a procurement process, trades professionals are now back on site, completing both external and internal works.”
The development will provide a range of homes to meet local demand, including one- and two-bedroom apartments as well as two-, three- and four-bedroom houses. Once completed, residents will benefit from easy access to nearby shops and amenities, dedicated cycle storage, local bus routes, and ample parking.
Ryan Oldnall, Development Manager, added: “We are delighted to be back on site at Eagle Works. The houses will feature rear gardens, with spacing between properties meeting Walsall Council’s requirements. Residents of the apartment block will also have access to a shared open courtyard, screened by landscaped areas. The result will be 51 high-quality, energy-efficient affordable homes.”
The homes at Eagle Works will be built using low carbon off-site timber panels supplied by Walsall-based manufacturer LoCaL Homes. These Eco-200 closed panel systems, complete with external brick slip cladding, are assembled at LoCaL Homes’ factory before being delivered to site – a process designed to speed up construction while also reducing the homes’ carbon footprint and household running costs.
Mike Doolan, Sales and Partnership Manager at LoCaL Homes, said: “It’s great to see work back underway at Eagle Works. Our off-site timber panels not only help accelerate construction, but they also deliver highly energy-efficient homes, which will help residents save on their bills.”
The Eagle Works site has a long history in Willenhall, having previously housed the Middleton Paper Company for more than 50 years before the business relocated.
The first homes at the development are expected to be handed over to residents later this year.
