Plans approved to replace Bilston industrial units destroyed by blaze
A warehouse destroyed by fire will be rebuilt after receiving the backing of council planners.
City of Wolverhampton Council has approved a planning application to build three new industrial units at the Atlas Trading Estate in Cross Street, Bradley.
Two units in the middle of the Atlas Trading Estate were destroyed by fire in January 2024 and the planning application was submitted a year later.
At its height, around 70 firefighters were tackling the blaze in the early hours of January 14.
A number of surveys were carried out after the planning application was submitted over drainage and flooding concerns.
The council’s planners said the benefits of re-building the units outweighed any other concerns.
“The proposals would involve a significant investment and likely create jobs here when the site is back in use,” a council report outlining the approval of the application said.
“The proposals are acceptable in principle and comply with adopted planning policy. The application includes significant technical supporting information which has enabled a thorough assessment of the material planning impacts of the proposals.
“In assessing the proposal, full regard has been given to the comments raised by statutory consultees, particularly in relation to flood risk and drainage.
“The comments expressed are acknowledged as a material planning consideration and have been afforded significant weight in the decision-making process.
“The applicant has submitted supporting statements and detailed rationale for re-building this previously fire damaged commercial unit, which have been reviewed in conjunction with national and local planning policy.
“The lead local flood authority comments are noted, however, the wider planning assessment has identified several material benefits of the proposal, including the re-building of this employment site, and the likely creation of jobs and investment here.
“On balance, although the comments raised are acknowledged and carry weight, it is considered that the risk of potential harm arising from re-building this fire damaged building, at this previously long established employment site, does not outweigh the overall benefits of the scheme.
“As such, the development is judged to comply with the development plan when read as a whole, and there are no material considerations that indicate planning permission should be withheld.”
