Flats plan for empty offices once used as art college is approved

Walsall Council planning officers have given the go-ahead for High Gate Developments to create four new one- and two-bed flats on the first floor above existing Goodall Street shops.

The building was originally built as a studio for an art college and, in more recent years, was used as offices.

This was the second bid to convert the property this year after an initial plan to build five apartments but that was rejected amid concerns they would be too small.

The developer has amended plans in a bid to address concerns, most notably by dropping the number of proposed flats down to four – three one bed and one two bed.

The property was built more than 100 years ago and intended as a painting studio for the old art college but was later converted into offices and shops.

Plans to convert the space into residential use were given the go-ahead back in 2015 but were shelved and remained as offices instead.

A lack of demand for offices in the town centre has resulted in the proposal to convert it into a residential development.

Agents M K Cotton said: “The applicant wishes to create high quality flat units suitable for medical and care staff as it well positioned to Walsall town. The flats proposed are one and two bed units with a spacious layout.

“In 2015 a Prior Approval application was granted for conversion to five flats but the conversion was not progressed. The then owners personal circumstances changed and the premises remained as offices.

“The current owner concluded that there is little demand for town centre office space and re-applied to convert the upper floor to residential use with Prior Approval. It was rejected due to changes in space standards.

“This is the re-submission following re-design to address the refusal points.”