Apartments plan for office block in Walsall
More than 30 new apartments could be built if plans to convert an empty Walsall office block is given the go-ahead.
Glebe House, in Glebe Street, has stood empty for around seven years and attempts to market it as offices to let have failed to attract new businesses to set up home there.
Now, developers Rusjon have put forward proposals to Walsall Council planners to convert the building, which have been used as offices since the 1970s, into 36 new apartments.
If approved, the development would feature 24 one-bedroom apartments and a further 12 flats with two bedrooms. The site already has 51 parking spaces and 49 will be kept for the new apartments with a cycle store created on the remaining two.
In the application, agents Latimer Planning said: “The offices have been extensively marketed to find a new occupier. Unfortunately, despite this marketing, the owners have been unable to find a new tenant.
"The site is in a highly sustainable location and it is within approximately 5 minutes walking distance of shops sufficient to meet daily needs.
"The intention is to provide a secure cycle store for up to 36 bicycles. A high degree of access is available by public transport across the West Midlands conurbation.
"The site is located fronting onto Wednesbury Road which is a major bus route. The main Walsall Railway Station is a 10-15 minute walk from the site.
"The site currently has 51 car parking spaces to service the existing office building. It is set back from Wednesbury Road away from the commercial operators on the west side of this road. Due to this it is not anticipated that the change of use would be affected by noise.
"The building and greater site are suitable for change of use from offices to residential.
"The proposed scheme is well designed and provides apartments that both conform to the nationally prescribed space standards and provide natural light to all habitable rooms."
