Dudley Fields in Bloxwich is set to become one of Britain’s first net-zero carbon-ready neighbourhoods, with work starting this spring on a landmark project to upgrade homes and create local jobs.
The £8 million scheme will retrofit up to 160 homes with state-of-the-art green technologies, making them warmer, more energy efficient, and cheaper to heat. At the same time, more than 50 skilled jobs will be created in the local area as part of a major skills and employment drive.
Green Upgrades for Local Homes
As part of the project, homes across the Dudley Fields estate will benefit from energy-saving improvements such as external wall insulation, solar panels, and air source heat pumps.
A total of 85 homes owned by housing provider whg will be upgraded, including properties on Central Drive and Coalway Road.
In addition, up to 75 privately owned homes in the area will be offered tailored retrofit packages, with grants covering most of the costs. The upgrades will be delivered by contractor Surefire MS (SMS).
Local Jobs, Training and a New Energy Hub
The initiative will also deliver a significant boost to local employment. Up to 52 new jobs will be created, with roles for retrofit assessors, plasterers, and green technology installers.
Working with Walsall College, the project will provide 25 apprenticeships and 43 training placements to support local people into green careers. A new Energy Hub will also open within the community, offering advice and showcasing a show home to demonstrate the benefits of retrofit improvements.
Delivered in Partnership
The scheme is being delivered through a collaboration between whg, Walsall Council, the Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). Funding comes from the Bloxwich Town Deal, ECO4 grants, the WMCA’s Net Zero Neighbourhoods programme, and a £2.1 million investment from whg.
Rob Gilham, Corporate Director of Strategy, Assets and Transformation at whg, said:
“This project is a cornerstone of our commitment to creating safe, sustainable communities where people thrive. By delivering warm, energy-efficient homes, we’re cutting bills, boosting wellbeing, and future-proofing Dudley Fields. But it’s bigger than housing – we’re empowering our customers through green jobs, apprenticeships, and partnerships that build both skills and community pride.
“Together, we’re proving that tackling climate change and inequality go hand in hand. This is how we craft a legacy: neighbourhoods where affordability, opportunity, and sustainability unite to create a fairer, brighter future for all.”
Councillor Adrian Andrew, Associate Leader of Walsall Council, said:
“It’s great to be working with whg on this landmark initiative for Bloxwich and the borough of Walsall. This project will deliver warmer, more efficient homes for local people and will create jobs and opportunities, fostering pride in our communities.
“We are committed to bringing forward partnerships and developments that will improve quality of life and access to opportunities for local people. The work that will be taking place on the Dudley Fields estate is yet another step in our journey to a thriving, healthy and prosperous future for our borough.”
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, added:
“Getting to net zero takes a community effort – all of us working together to drive down energy costs and carbon emissions.
“We are funding seven Net Zero Neighbourhoods and improving more than 10,000 family homes across the West Midlands so they benefit from better insulation, greener energy generation and opening up new natural spaces in their communities.
“We are already seeing the benefits in Dudley, and soon residents in Walsall will see them too.
“The UK’s transition to net zero can only be successful if we take everyone with us – cutting emissions while cutting bills for our residents.”
A Regional Effort for a Greener Future
Dudley Fields is one of seven Net Zero Neighbourhoods being developed across the West Midlands, as part of the Mayor’s plan to cut regional carbon emissions to net zero by 2041.
The initiative also forms part of the government’s Town Deals programme, which supports long-term regeneration in towns across the UK. With over £2.35 billion committed to 101 towns nationwide, the programme aims to drive local economic growth through investment in housing, skills, infrastructure, and digital connectivity.