Landmark could be revived as college

The owner of Bilston's landmark former art college today revealed he wants it to be revived as a college, after admitting no developers had come forward to make his flats dream a reality.

Planning permission was granted to turn the building into flats almost two years ago. But bosses have failed to find a buyer and the site has now been left boarded up with signs saying "keep out".

The Mount Pleasant building, dating back 113 years, has been empty for more than a decade.

The locally listed building, which has been ravaged by vandals and decay, has permission to be converted into 20 apartments and its outbuildings demolished to make way for 44 more apartments with underground parking.

Steve Hyde, project architect at Tweedales, which designed the project, said: "In the present economic climate the project has suffered. Nothing can move on the site until it has a buyer. It is a really nice scheme but it is a case of finding someone to take it on."

Today there was even talk of seeking out an educational establishment to turn it back into a college.

Owner Surinder Singh today said he was willing to speak to anyone who wanted to buy the site.

He bought it in 2001 and had originally considered turning it into his own home for himself.

He said: "If I don't sell it by the end of the year then I will look at varying the planning permission. I'd be willing to sell it to someone who might want to turn it back into a college."

Wolverhampton City Council had originally considered providing a grant of £258,000 for Mr Singh to spruce up the front of the building, adding a further £110,000 of his own money. But the grant offer fell through in 2008.

Mr Singh, of Compton Road West, is currently waiting for a valuation on the property.