City of Wolverhampton Council has approved plans to demolish the former Loxdale Primary School in Bilston, a site that has served as the authority’s taxi licensing and inspection offices since 2022. The demolition will clear the way for the construction of 50 new homes on the school’s former playing fields.
The council’s move follows a decision to relocate its taxi operations to a purpose-built £12 million depot on Hickman Avenue, consolidating its fleet of bin lorries, gritters, vans, and minibuses. This relocation was initially approved in 2021 and is part of a wider strategy to modernise council facilities.
Efforts to develop the Loxdale site have faced challenges, including delays caused by the presence of old mineshafts beneath the land. To address this, the council awarded a £3 million contract last year aimed at filling these mineshafts and preparing the site, alongside the nearby Stowheath Day Training Centre in East Park, for new affordable housing.
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Originally, the council envisaged up to 150 homes across both the Loxdale and Stowheath sites; however, this figure has since been revised down to 89 homes, with 50 planned for Loxdale and 39 for Stowheath. This updated plan has been made public recently following contract awards.
The council’s wider redevelopment efforts include the planned demolition of its existing depot on Culwell Street, which will pave the way for the Brewer’s Yard development, a large project expected to deliver up to 1,300 homes alongside commercial and leisure spaces such as shops, offices, restaurants, and bars.
Initially, the new depot on Hickman Avenue was set to incorporate the city’s 50-year-old wholesale market. However, the council made a controversial decision in 2024 to cancel those plans, focusing instead on modernising operational facilities.
Furthermore, in late 2024, the council secured £1.4 million in government funding to support site preparation for the two housing developments in Bilston, with a view to commencing construction within the next year.
These initiatives reflect the council’s commitment to revitalising local infrastructure and increasing affordable housing availability within the city while updating essential municipal services.