Four-storey apartment block planned for canalside factory in Wolverhampton
A disused Wolverhampton factory site that has stood empty for more than two decades is set to be transformed into new apartments.
Wrexham Homes is looking to build a four-storey block of 54 two-bedroom flats on the land that used to house G and P Batteries in Grove Street, Heath Town.
And planners at Wolverhampton Council granted outline permission for the scheme, which means the development is considered acceptable, ahead of a full application coming coming forward.
The area has been vacant since the late 1990s and, once completed, the apartments will overlook the Wyrley and Essington Canal.
It will also feature parking facilities for 61 cars, 10 motorbikes, 72 cycles, six disability spaces and eight electric charging points.
The developer’s agent ET Planning said the applicants had initially wanted to build a five-storey, 92 apartment development but scaled this down following advice from planners.
In the application, they said: “Grove Street is residential in use from its junction with the A4124 to the disused railway bridge. The site has been vacant since 1998.
“The proposed use for residential development is consistent with the prevailing character of the area and has already been established by previous applications at the site.
“Furthermore, the site is allocated for housing within the Heathfield Park Neighbourhood Plan.
“The amount of development has been reduced based on the pre-application feedback and is now considered to be entirely appropriate for the site, representing an efficient use of the site without appearing overdeveloped.
“The proposal makes the most efficient use of the site providing suitable areas of amenity space along the site boundaries, with the parking area located to the north of the building, maximising the views across the canal to the south.”
Planning officer Phillip Walker said: “The development would be in accordance with the identified proposed use of the site. The principle of the development is therefore acceptable.
“The proposal will regenerate a long-standing derelict site and create new homes. There will be employment benefits in the construction of the development.
“The development will improve the setting and surveillance of the canal. The proposed layout and design of the development includes satisfactory provision of on-site car parking and shared amenity spaces.
“The scheme includes pedestrian linkages within and outside the site and satisfactory cycle store provision.
“The position, scale and massing of the development is such that it relates well with surrounding built and natural landscape.”
