Smaller Telecom House building in Wolverhampton to be turned into apartment
Part of a well-known city centre building is to be turned into accommodation after council planning bosses gave the go-ahead for development.
The plant building at Telecom House in Wolverhampton will become a one-bedroom apartment, with the main building at the site already given the nod for residential development.
Situated on Church Street overlooking the Penn Road roundabout on the ring road, the landmark building was bought by Doncaster-based Empire Property Concepts for £4.25 million in 2020.
Telecom House had previously been sold for more than £3m in July 2018 to Inspired Asset Management – also for use as apartments – but the company later went into receivership.
At its height, more than 700 BT staff worked in the building before finally moving out in 2017.
In a statement submitted along with the application, Ashley White from Sheffield-based DLP Planning Limited, the agents acting on behalf of Empire Property, said: “The site is located to the south of Wolverhampton city centre, adjacent to St John’s Ring Road, in close proximity to a range of local services including St John’s Retail Park, Sainsbury’s, The Way Youth Zone, Wulfrun Shopping Centre and St John’s Church.
“The previous granting of prior approval for the conversion of the main Telecom House building to residential use establishes the suitability of the site for residential purposes.
“This development consists of the refurbishment and conversion of the single-storey outbuilding to residential use.
“The one-bedroom apartment will be fitted out to a high standard with suitable levels of natural light within the living room and bedroom space.
“Proposed external alterations include the replacement of uPVC windows, a new door to match the existing building and the removal of a door. These improvements are considered acceptable in design terms,” said the report.
“Future residents will be able to access the property via Church Street and a single dedicated car parking space will be provided adjacent to the property away from the main car park.
“The site forms part of the City Centre Area Action Plan, which will guide the regeneration of the city centre up to 2026.
“St John’s and St George’s area will continue to function as an historic mixed-use office and residential quarter of great character. The focal point will continue to be the church of St John in the Square.
“The St George’s Parade site will be in active use and there will be improved linkages across the ring road to the Blakenhall and Graiseley and All Saints areas.
“This particular site is located within easy walking distance of a variety of shops, services and public transport infrastructure,” added the report.
“A single car parking space will be provided. However, given the highly accessible nature of the site, the majority of future residents will make use of the public transport services nearby.
“The proposed development will bring a redundant building back into use and is complementary to the wider residential proposal.”
