A treasured symbol of the local community has been given a new lease of life at Hampton Park, WV Living’s new housing development site in Wolverhampton.
Built on the site of the former Northicote School, Northwood Park Road, Bushbury, Hampton Park has welcomed its newest resident. The concrete owl sculpture which once adorned the school, was preserved during the demolition and has now been proudly reinstated in a public space within the development, along with a commemorative plaque to honour its legacy.
The unveiling ceremony was led by Sir Geoff Hampton, the former headteacher of Northicote School, alongside Chris Handy, Director at WV Living. Together, they marked the moment by revealing the restored sculpture, a poignant reminder of the school’s impact on generations of local residents.
Sir Geoff Hampton said: “This owl was a much-loved feature of the school for decades. It watched over the children as they played, studied, and grew. It’s wonderful to see it reinstated in the heart of this new community, where it can continue to serve as a reminder of our shared history.”
The plaque accompanying the sculpture highlights its role as a symbol of the area’s educational heritage, while also celebrating the transformation of the site into a thriving residential community.
Chris Handy, Director at WV Living, said: “At WV Living, we’re committed to not only providing homes but also fostering a sense of community. By honouring the history of this site, we aim to create a development that both respects the past and builds a positive future for the residents who will call this place home.
“The reinstated owl sculpture will stand at the heart of this new chapter, connecting past memories with future aspirations.”
Hampton Park will have 178 low carbon homes delivered by WV Living’s appointed contractor GreenSquareAccord and will include 29 affordable rent and 16 shared ownership homes.
The homes are being built using pre-fabricated timber panels from GreenSquareAccord’s award winning, low carbon manufacturing facility, LoCaL Homes, in Walsall.
The build will use the eco-200 product range with insulated and fully clad panels delivered to site with external coverings attached. This will ensure energy efficient properties with minimum disruption for residents moving into the development.
The off-site construction means the homes can be built cleaner, and with less waste products than traditional builds. The new homes will be energy efficient and low carbon making the build more environmentally sustainable.
In line with WV Living’s fire safety pledge, all homes at Hampton Park will also be fitted with fire suppression systems.
To register an interest in the homes at Hampton Park, customers are invited to complete their details here.