BUILDING work to create a new canal-side housing estate in Wollaston is expected to get underway in earnest next month.

Plans by housebuilder Taylor Wimpey to build 150 new homes on the site of the old Caparo/Sunrise Medical factory off Wollaston High Street were unanimously approved by members of Dudley’s development control committee last Wednesday (July 17).

Work to flatten the old Sunrise Business Park site kicked off earlier this year following outline approval of the scheme – and now full permission has been given building work to transform the site with a mix of plush two, three and four-bed homes is set to start in August.

The development, which includes opening up and realigning the River Stour, will be known as Doulton Brook and will take around three-and-a-half years to fully complete.

A spokesman for Taylor Wimpey said: “We are delighted to have received planning approval for our new development in Wollaston, and we are looking forward to unveiling this high-quality collection of new homes to local purchasers very soon.

“We expect our temporary sales office to be up and running in early August with construction work starting later the same month.

“Anyone interested in finding out more about the development can register their interest by visiting our website at www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/westmids.”

The development will mark the start of much-talked about plans to revamp derelict industrial sites along the Stourbridge canal.