The decaying site of Wolverhampton’s former Royal Hospital is finally set to be transformed. Work on a £50 million housing and medical complex could start within weeks.

Tesco has been given the green light to develop the historic site in Cleveland Road, All Saints, with the flagship complex.

And bosses have now joined forces with city regeneration chiefs in a bid to get the ambitious project off the ground.

Once the former jewel in the city’s crown, the landmark building has suffered from a decade of neglect.

During this time it has been constantly targeted by vandals and arsonists.

Read the full story in the Express & StarThe decaying site of Wolverhampton’s former Royal Hospital is finally set to be transformed. Work on a £50 million housing and medical complex could start within weeks.

Tesco has been given the green light to develop the historic site in Cleveland Road, All Saints, with the flagship complex. And bosses have now joined forces with city regeneration chiefs in a bid to get the ambitious project off the ground. Once the former jewel in the city’s crown, the landmark building has suffered from a decade of neglect.

During this time it has been constantly targeted by vandals and arsonists.But it is set to be brought back to its former glory with a 300-home development, as well as offices and possibly a primary care health centre.

After being given the green light by planners, Wolverhampton Primary Care Trust has now been able to apply for the cash to build their new headquarters and a medical centre within the old hospital grounds.

Supermarket giant Tesco has owned the bulk of the 15-acre since 2001.

The company had wanted to build a new supermarket on the rundown site but the plans were thrown out by city councillors in favour of a housing and office development instead.

Cleveland House, which is a listed building on the site, was to be demolished in original plans but Tesco has bowed to council pressure and the building will remain.

Wolverhampton History and Heritage Society was unable to persuade bosses to keep the old outpatients building, which will be demolished due to safety concerns, along with a nearby bus garage and a derelict pub.

Councillor Peter Bilson, Wolverhampton’s regeneration chief, said: “All the plans were given the go-ahead and it is really important that work starts moving now. This site has stood for far too long in that state.”

Tony Fletcher, corporate affairs manager for Tesco, said bosses were working with council bosses to look through the conditions put down with the planning permission so work could start as quickly as possible.

By Victoria Nash