Flats and office development approved in Wolverhampton
An ambitious scheme to build 100 apartments and new offices on a Wolverhampton car park has been given the go ahead.
A total of 53 two-bedroom and 47 one bedroom flats, 100 parking spaces, along with 230 square metres of office space will be created on the Dudley Road car park by developers M & E Consultancy (UK) Ltd.
The applicants said the car park was under-used and the development would help the council meet its housing targets for the area.
They had previously looked to build an eight story block with 116 apartments along with more than 800 square metres of retail and office space, but they were advised this would be too tall for the area.
Plans have been amended and the scheme scaled down to a five storey building, resulting in planners granting approval.
In the application, agents Hybrid Planning & Development said: “The proposals seek to maximise the development potential of this previously developed and underutilised site in order to provide additional homes in the city.
“The delivery of 100 new residential apartments will contribute towards the council’s housing target of 63,000 new homes between 2006-2026.
“The application site is sustainably located within a 10-minute walk of the city centre shopping core and is near many residential services, including several primary schools, places of worship, local food and retail shops and the Graiseley Recreation Ground.
“Nearby bus stops provide quick services into the city centre and to the Wolverhampton Train Station, making the site highly accessible via sustainable transport modes.
“The site also lends itself to higher densities given its relative isolation from existing housing and listed buildings, thereby avoiding potential harm to neighbouring residential amenity and built heritage.
“Additionally, it is clear that the demand for new housing in Wolverhampton is on the rise. The proposal will also contribute to the city’s overall target of an additional 880,000 square metres of office floorspace.
“This scheme proposes to develop a brownfield site, which is neglected at present, into a high quality residential and office space.
“(There is an) opportunity to activate an under-used car parking site,
and make a positive contribution to the surrounding context; to provide high quality dwellings, in a tenure mix that reflects local needs and to create purpose built office space, and increase the number of jobs in the area.
“Through careful attention to the detailing and landscaping of the building, each unit balances modern design with unique touches inspired by the industrial heritage of Wolverhampton.”
Planning officer Jenny Davies said: “The proposed development would result in the regeneration of a key location within the city centre and contribute towards the council’s housing targets, providing modern quality housing in a sustainable location.
“Dudley Road is a key frontage and prominent gateway location. The proposed development would enhance this frontage and provide a positive response to its surroundings as a result of the perimeter block design resulting in active frontages on all sides.”
