Wolverhampton's Architectural Heritage

Local Authority Developments

Following the end of the Second World War Wolverhampton was the first local authority in the country to submit its scheme for slum clearance. Large scale developments were undertaken as soon as the war - for instance, over 250 houses were built at Willenhall and over 160 at Bushbury.

In 1955 Merridale Court was opened, consiting of eight blocks of low rise flats containing 156 dwellings. The flats came complete with drying and laundry facilities and a resident superintendent.

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Programme for Official Opening of Merridale Court (L3391)

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Plan of Merridale Court (L3391)

The building was of traditional construction with load bearing brick walls, reinforced concrete floors and tiled roofs.

By 1969 out of the 85,000 dwelling houses in the town 66% had been built since the end of World War II and 44% were council owned. Some developments received excellent recommendations - for example the Vauxhalls which estate won a Civic Trust award in 1963. As recorded in The Municipal and Public Services Journal the award citation said, …" the Vauxhalls estate may well form a nucleus and set the pattern for future urban building of a very satisfactory character".

The local authority also received commendations for its development of both the Chetton Green and Boscobel estates in 1966. Other local Authority housing projects included Warstones, Heath Town, The Greens, Stowlawn, Bilston, together with Castlecroft, Finchfield and Merry Hill.

Enville Road Warstones 1949 (C2/ENV/6/1)

For further information on past housing see the section on World War II