Councillors to decide on plans for housing at empty Wolverhampton office block
Ambitious plans to demolish an empty office block in Wolverhampton and build a six-storey residential property are expected to be given the green light by planners next week.
Network House in School Street has been vacant for a number of years and proposals have been submitted to build 113 dwelling in its place.
The building previously had several uses, with a parade of shops on the ground floor and a mixture of office accommodation above.
Now Birmingham-based property developers Taylor Grange Ltd have submitted a planning application to knock the building down completely, and replace it with state-of-the-art one and two-bedroom flats and one-bed duplexes on the first two floors.
Previous plans to transform the building into a retail and leisure development fell through in 2014.
In a report to city planners, Councillor Harman Banger, the council’s cabinet member for city economy, said: “The area around Network House is predominantly commercial in character, featuring shops, restaurants, a nightclub and a banqueting suite.
“This application is not within – but does adjoin – the Wolverhampton City Centre Conservation Area and has listed buildings in close proximity, namely Darlington Street Methodist Church, a Grade II* listed building, and the Diamond Banqueting Suite which is a Grade II listed building.
“The existing office block has no architectural significance and does not make a positive contribution to the rest of the street.”
Councillor Banger said the council had not received any objections to the proposals, with the exception of one letter from the nearby Gorgeous Nightclub, expressing concerns over possible negative effects to business due to their late opening hours.
“The design, scale and appearance of the development in the plans submitted to the council is appropriate for this city centre location,” added Councillor Banger.
“It would respect and not harm the setting or historical significance of any listed buildings in the vicinity.
“The designs also allow for noise mitigation measures, the details of which can be agreed by a planning condition. There would certainly be no harmful implications for any existing residents in the surrounding area.”
Car and cycle parking provisions on the ground floor have also been included in the application, along with a refuse store and courtyard for residents. Principle access to the accommodation will be off School Street through a central entrance, with vehicles gaining access off Fold Street.
The plans will require a £145,000 city centre open space contribution towards the provision and maintenance of trees on the street, as part of the council’s Trees and Lights and Westside Link initiatives.
“A key priority for the council is the delivery of affordable housing. This development will assist with the forthcoming first phase of the Westside pedestrianisation project, which takes in Victoria Street, Salop Street, Skinner Street and School Street,” said Councillor Banger.
Wolverhampton Council’s planning committee is due to discuss the application at their meeting on Tuesday(10).
