Shop and cafe plans submitted for former hospital lodge in Wolverhampton
Plans to convert an old porters’ lodge at a former Wolverhampton hospital into a shop and cafe/restaurant have been submitted to the city council.
All Saints Action Network (ASAN) has applied for planning permission to convert the single-storey lodge just outside the Grade II listed Royal Hospital building at the junction of Cleveland Road and Vicarage Road.
The historic hospital premises – built between 1846 and 1849 – closed in 1997 and is now being turned into an apartment complex for over 55s. The whole of the four-acre site is located within the Ettingshall ward and the Cleveland Road Conservation Area. The lodge was built in 1863.
In a report to the council, planning officer Phillip Walker said: “Planning permission and listed building consent have been granted to convert the main former hospital building into 38 apartments and to change the use and carry out works to convert the lodge building into a shop and cafe/restaurant.
“The permission also allowed for the erection of 98 houses and 32 apartments on land at the rear of the hospital building, and the demolition of the former nurses’ home and the erection of a replacement apartment block including 24 flats.
“At the former bus garage site, which is on the opposite side of Cleveland Road from the hospital building, new apartments, houses and a YMCA building have been erected and are now occupied.
“Full permission is sought for proposed extensions and alterations to the former lodge to provide a shop and cafe/restaurant with the display or retail sale of goods other than hot food, and the sale of food and drink for consumption, mostly on the premises,” he added.
“It is proposed that the facility be operated by AlSAN. They say that they aspire for the premises to become an important community meeting place.”
Ettingshall councillors Beverley Momenabadi, Zee Russell and mayor Sandra Samuels have all expressed their support for the development.
“These proposals are welcomed since they would assist with the regeneration of this historic area, re-use a much-loved historic building and create an important community meeting place. The site is also in a highly sustainable location, in walking distance of the city centre and surrounding residential areas,” said Mr Walker.
Planners are due to make a decision on the application next Tuesday.
