Multi-million pound plans were today unveiled to transform an eyesore former car dealership in Wolverhampton – once dubbed the city’s worst sight – with student flats, apartments and shops.

A planning application has been submitted to Wolverhampton City Council for the long-awaited transformation of the derelict former Hartwell Charles Clark building, in Chapel Ash.

The landmark building has been boarded up since closing in 2001 and has been routinely covered in flyposters and grafitti. Wolverhampton property mogul Kultar Dale, of Dale Investments, took over the site at the end of last year, and put forward a series of suggestions, including creating a care home for the elderly.

But bosses have now agreed to breathe new life into the site by creating an accommodation block for up to 80 students, 24 apartments and retail units. They are hoping work can kick off as early as next month.

Mr Dale said today: “The plans have gone in and we have had meetings with the council.

“The new plans are for student accommodation, apartments and retail units. We haven’t signed anything yet but we have been in talks with a food supplier and pharmaceutical company.

“We really want to start work as early as we can, hopefully in October, and we are now just waiting to hear if it is given approval.

“We anticipate the project will take between 12 and 18 months to complete.”

Traders in Chapel Ash have in the past voiced fears that the state of the building, on a main gateway to the city, was threatening their livelihood.

Manchester-based Greenmount Ltd, the last known owner, was previously fined more than £8,000 for failing to clear the land of weeds and fly-tipped rubbish.