New city centre flats on way as Wolverhampton Council approves scheme
Proposals to add an extra storey to a prominent row of shops in Wolverhampton city centre have been approved by planners.
City planners have granted permission for the upper floors of two buildings in Cleveland Street, opposite the entrance to the Wulfrun Centre, and build two new floors comprising four one-bedroom and four two-bedroom flats.
New shop fronts will also be installed on the ground-floor retail units, which are occupied by RCS Furnishings and the Talk Crazy phone shop, which is owned by developer Sunil Sahni.
Paul Simkin, of Thorne Architecture, said: "The proposed development would provide much needed housing in a sustainable town-centre location and would ensure the long-term viable use of an underused site.
"The retained retail units on the ground floor would maintain an active facade to Cleveland Street and would make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the town centre with eight much-needed apartments."
Mr Simkin said the flats would be accessed via a private staircase.
"Contemporary aluminium shop fronts are to be provided to the ground floor retail units," he said.
"The elevations are to be brick with aluminium cladding to punctuate the facade."
Mr Simkin added that there was a car park to the rear of the property, which would be retained.
"However, in this location, with ready access to buses, the tram and the railway station a five-to-10-minute walk away, there will be minimal requirement for on-site parking.
"Cycle lockers have been provided in the existing car park along with a bin store."
He added there was a new pedestrian access to Summer Row.
Senior planning officer Andrew Johnson granted permission for the scheme, subject to a noise impact assessment.
