Former YMCA and dairy building in Wolverhampton set to be demolished for student flats
A former dairy and YMCA building in Wolverhampton city centre is to be demolished and replaced with a new accommodation block for students.
Westbury House, next door to The Planet nightclub just off Broad Street, has been empty for some time, and the go-ahead was this week given to knock it down and build 68 studio apartments.
The site, on the corner of Whitmore Street and Westbury Street, was originally occupied by the Limerick Inn pub, long since demolished, and then the present building – once Hickman & Mould Dairy and later a YMCA centre.
A report to the city council from agents Keith Davidson Partnership said: “The site is located within the Ring Road in the area known as St Peter’s Cultural Quarter, which has a mixture of facilities placing emphasis on civic learning, entertainment, leisure and culture.
“It is ideally located for students, being only a short distance from the University Quarter and main shopping centre.
“The city’s Interchange and Commercial Gateway, which offers excellent transport links, is also nearby,” it added.
New accommodation will be built over four and five storeys, consisting of seven studio flats on the ground floor, 16 studio flats and one single-occupation flat on the first floor, 17 studios and one single-occupation flat on the second and third floors, eight studios on the fourth and six on the fifth.
Each apartment will consist of an entrance hall, bathroom and kitchen, wardrobe, bed, desk and chest of drawers.
The building will also have an entrance lobby on the ground floor, along with a gym, cinema and communal areas for use by students.
“Main entry to the block will be central and controlled by card swipe or key fob access,” added the report.
“Direct access to reception will be from Westbury Street and staff will be on hand to meet visitors and deliveries.
“CCTV will be installed throughout the building in key areas such as the main entrance, lift and stairs, lobbies, communal areas, gym, cinema, and outside courtyard.
“External CCTV will also be positioned by the entrance in such a way as to prevent overlooking neighbouring properties,” it said.
