Estate in line for revamp

Nov 1 2006

A SCHEME to regenerate a run-down Dudley estate goes before council top brass today.

Dudley Council's cabinet will consider proposals which may eventually lead to the total revamp of the North Priory estate.

If adopted, the plan will see the council continuing with the project and seeking a partner to work with it to redevelop the whole site.

The new development would include a minimum of 30 per cent affordable housing.

The recent survey conducted on the estate identified that 55 per cent of residents would back a total regeneration option.

The North Priory estate has been identified as being "at risk" of becoming less popular and harder to maintain.

The council has been conducting in-depth consultation with residents during the summer, including face-to-face interviews.

Eighty-three per cent of households took part in the survey which revealed that the majority would back total regeneration of the estate.

Coun Michael Evans, cabinet member for housing, said: "Consultation on the North Priory remains at the heart of our proposals for the estate. We want to continue to hear people's views and will be doing everything we can to keep people informed.

"If the cabinet proposals are adopted we will be making sure that all future proposals involve the residents at every stage of the regeneration process."

He added: "The report to cabinet recognises the work that has already gone on in preparing to move forward."