Centro seeks to demolish historic Wolverhampton building in tram extension

The proposals, submitted by transport authority Centro to Wolverhampton City Council, are for a partial demolition of the Old Steam Mill building in Corn Hill, Wolverhampton.

It is part of the next stage of the Midland Metro extension and the Wolverhampton Interchange project.

Under the plans the building's north west wall will be torn down, enabling vast quantities of fire damaged fabric to be removed and a structural examination of the condition of the main building to take place.

A large steel clad section at the back of the building will also be bulldozed. Other sections of the building, which was erected in 1851, could also be pulled down, including the original west wing wall.

A similar proposal was put forward early last year, but the work never got off the ground.

The move has brought back hopes that Corn Hill may finally be re-opened to traffic. The road links Wednesfield Road in Heath Town with Horseley Fields via Sun Street, but has been blocked off since 2008 when the building was destroyed by fire.

Heath Town Councillor Milkinder Jaspal said: "We are desperate for this road to be brought back into use, but this cannot happen until the building is made safe.

"While I can understand people want to preserve heritage, since the fire this building has been left to rot and decay.

"It is an eyesore with trees growing out through the windows.

"There is no functional purpose for the building at the moment and I believe it is time for it to be pulled down in preparation for development. Enough is enough."

Redevelopment of the building has been stalled on numerous occasions in recent years.

In 2013 Centro agreed not to demolish the main structure of the Old Steel Mill after a public consultation revealed overwhelming opposition to the scheme.

Among those opposing the demolition of the building was The Victorian Society, who described it at the time as 'an important Victorian industrial building'. In 2003 it had been earmarked for development into flats but no plans were ever submitted.

The building was listed by English Heritage in 1991.