Dilapidated former eye infirmary in Wolverhampton finally sold to private investors

Hospital trust boss David Loughton confirmed to city councillors the NHS building, which has been abandoned for the past decade, has now been sold.

It is believed the derelict Compton Road site riddled with asbestos could soon be transformed into a medical centre and new homes after Birmingham-based BZ Property Holdings Ltd acquired it.

The sale comes as former owners The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust faces prosecution for failing to overhaul the crumbling Grade-II listed building.

Conservative Councillor Sohail Khan, who represents the Tettenhall Regis ward, said: It’s great news that the site has finally been purchased. The eye infirmary has been an eyesore and a blight on the city for far too long. The council should have sorted this site out years ago, instead of making excuses and taking the NHS to court.

"So I’m glad that a private developer has taken the initiative and come in with exciting plans to transform the site for the benefit of Chapel Ash residents and the city as well. I’m sure everyone agrees with me that it will be fantastic to see the site looking wonderful again.”

The eye infirmary, which opened in 1888, closed when services moved to New Cross Hospital and has stood empty since 2007.

The trust faced prosecution from Wolverhampton Council for failing to repair the building and was handed an enforcement notice, which it appealed.

It was given seven months to sort a raft of issues including replacing broken windows, clearing vegetation, removing rubbish and repairing perimeter fencing.

Trust bosses were also ordered to replace damaged windows and doors, as well as areas of the roof.

But not all work was completed by the final September 20 deadline, with a district judge due to consider the case this month.

A hospital trust spokesperson added: "The trust has contractually agreed a sale of the former eye infirmary. At this point in time, the trust cannot disclose the amount the site has been sold for or to whom exactly it has been sold to."

Wolverhampton Council was outbid for the site two years ago by property developer McCarthy and Stone, which offered about £1 million before the deal fell through.

A council spokesman said: “We hope the new owners will bring forward a scheme that makes best use of the former eye infirmary site and benefits Wolverhampton.

“The council has tried to engage with the trust to regenerate the site. We made an offer to buy it in October. This was rejected. We then made an improved offer to buy the site and this was also rejected.

“The site has become an eyesore, which is why the council initiated legal proceedings to get it tidied up. We are as eager as anyone to see it brought back to life, so it brings jobs, opportunity and investment to our city.”