Work has started on the development of 15 new affordable council homes as part of Tipton town centre's continued regeneration, which is supported by government funding.
Leader of Sandwell Council, Councillor Ray Nock – alongside representatives from contractor McPhillips, council officers and other councillors – attended a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of initial ground works on the old Flour Mill site in Union Street.
Town centre businesses are not affected by the works and are open as usual.
The locally listed old Flour Mill building will be retained by being converted and modernised into six council apartments. The building dates from 1919 in its current form and has its origins going back to the early 1800s.
A further block of nine new council apartments will be built on land behind the historic building.
Contractor McPhillips is now on site carrying out initial ground works ahead of starting construction of the apartments in the coming weeks.
The flats – a mix of one- and two-bedroom homes – are expected to be completed by early 2028.
These 15 apartments will bring the total number of new council homes being built in Tipton town centre to 70, with 55 also being developed further along Union Street as part of the wider regeneration project.
Councillor Ray Nock, Sandwell Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth, said: “I am pleased to see our contractor on site at the old Flour Mill, ready to give this heritage building a new lease of life and provide much-needed housing for people on the council's waiting list.
“I welcome building affordable homes in town centres. This will increase footfall and help put money into local businesses and traders. As a council, we are repurposing under-used land into high-quality, energy-efficient homes for local people.
"I know how important town centres are to the people of Sandwell, so we will continue to invest in them. New homes like this will bring a wide range of benefits to the town centre."
Stuart MacKenzie, Director at McPhillips, said: "The old Flour Mill has been part of Tipton for more than a century, so we're proud to be working with Sandwell Council to bring it back into use as homes for local people.
"Converting a local building of historical interest takes care, and our team is looking forward to creating 15 modern council apartments here while keeping the character that makes the building so important to the town.
"We also want the benefits to reach beyond the site. Sixty per cent of our supply chain on the project will come from within 30 miles, keeping investment in the local economy, and we're working with the council on a youth trailblazer programme to give young people in the area work experience.
"Alongside the build, our team will visit local schools and run community volunteering days and litter picks.
"Reusing a heritage building alongside new homes is the kind of sustainable design and build work we do best, and it's a scheme that will make a lasting difference to Tipton."
Under the wider regeneration programme, work has recently finished on improvements to public spaces along Owen Street, to make a safer, more attractive and more accessible town centre. Car parks in Albion Street and New Cross Street continue to offer up to two hours' free parking.
The overall regeneration project is supported by £20million of government funding (Local Regeneration Fund) plus investment from Sandwell Council.
