Landmark city building earmarked for 100 flats

Crown House, which is currently used by HRMC, has been earmarked for residential development. T

Tax workers are due to be moved out over the next 12 months after HMRC decided to shift staff to a central base in Birmingham.

The five-storey building overlooks Wolverhampton's ring road on Birch Street.

An application has been lodged with the city council by Mapeley STEPS Contractor Limited for a change of use from offices to residential, with the block to be turned into flats.

A total of 102 flats would be created, according to the plans. The refurbished building would be made up of 61 one-bed, 31 two-bed and 10 three-bed flats. There are also 136 parking spaces.

HMRC revealed in 2015 that tax workers were to move out of the building after HMRC announced it was shifting all staff to a base in Birmingham, leaving the large office block empty.

Crown House was one of four tax offices HMRC said would close in the Black Country.

The announcement that tax workers would be moved out of Crown House resulted in the possibility of the large building being left empty but it now appears it could be set for a fresh lease of life.

Detailed plans have yet to be submitted but a request for change of use has gone in to council planners.

Councillor Milkinder Jaspal, cabinet member for governance on Wolverhampton Council, said it was important the building was not allowed to be left empty.

He said: "We don't want to leave any buildings empty. If they can be occupied, either commercial or residential that's the only way forward.

"It's a big building and if it is going to be residential, after a consultation, I don't think there will be any issues. We need to have it occupied."

HMRC revealed the offices were to close as part of plans to shave £100 million from its budget. The body has instead decided to open a regional centre in Birmingham to bring staff under one roof and cut costs.

Bridge House in Brierley Hill and Pattison House in Walsall were also earmarked for the axe.