Wolverhampton Council spends £1.5 million on children's home - but it's still empty after three years
A controversial children's home is still empty three years after permission was granted - despite the council having spent more than £1.5 million on it.
Neighbour Mike Phillips, who spearheaded a campaign to stop the home from being given permission, accused the council of wasting taxpayers' money.
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Wolverhampton Council gave permission for the city's children's services department to convert the house in Keepers Lane, Tettenhall, into a children's home in May, 2023, despite 40 objections.
The opening of the house was initially delayed while the council held a legal review to ensure that all processes had been carried out correctly, but 33 months later the property is still unoccupied.
A security wall was built around the property, but it has yet to host any children.
Mr Phillips, who lives almost opposite the property, said the council had spent an initial £610,000 on the house, followed by £350,000 worth of upgrades. He said staff had been hired at a cost of £600,000 since permission was granted, although the council had told him these staff had been deployed elsewhere.
