Bearwood Road

Tenants have moved into the first new council homes to be built in Sandwell in many years. Work is complete on the 12 houses and 16 two-bedroom apartments on the site of the former Bearwood House flats in Bearwood Road, Smethwick.

The new scheme achieves Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. To improve energy efficiency, the scheme includes additional insulation, solar panelling and water recycling, all to reduce the overall carbon footprint and produce a more environmentally friendly building.

The home of the first tenant to move in - Abdo Radman - was built to specific disability standards to help meet the needs of his disabled son, Raad.

Looking to the future

Left to right: Tim Powell, Lovell; Steve Swann, Homes and Communities Directorate, Sandwell MBC; John Gamsby, Lovell; with Diana Masilune (9) and Daniel Gayle (8) from Victoria Park Primary School, Smethwick

Residents were not the only ones to feel the benefit of the project as Lovell took on seven young apprentices to work on the development through Sandwell Council's Think Local Construction scheme.

Lovell was also looking even further to the future as it invited Year 4 pupils from Victoria Park Primary School in Smethwick to work on a new name for the apartment block, which is now known as Parkside View. While the block was being built, Sandwell MBC and Lovell worked closely with the school, providing Health and Safety talks and site visits. After being impressed by the pupils’ interest, Sandwell MBC decided pupils should have a say in the name of the new apartment block.

Quotes

"It's great to see this new housing development completed. I'm passionate about the regeneration of the Windmill Eye area of Smethwick and these homes are an important part of that."
Councillor Darren Cooper, Leader, Sandwell Council

“Our home is really nice and all the people who have helped us are lovely and friendly. We're very happy here because our home has space for my son's electric wheelchair."
Mr Radman, resident

"The HCA is pleased to have supported Sandwell Council's ambitions to build more new council homes for the community in Smethwick. We have worked to ensure that the homes have been built to a high design standard and respond well to local need, providing a good mix of housing, including much-needed larger homes."
Christine Seaton, Area Manager, HCA Midlands

"It is very satisfying when all your work is complete and you can see the way these new homes are actually changing people's lives for the better. We've enjoyed working in partnership with Sandwell Council and look forward to working together again for the benefit of the people of Sandwell."
David Gough, Regional Director for Lovell in the Midlands