Green light for Wolverhampton pubs to become housing

The fire-ravaged Bushbury Arms in Showell Circus is to be given a new lease of life along with The Villiers Arms in Bilston, where a man was stabbed six years ago. Both are closed down with no signs of re-opening as pubs.

Following approval at a Wolverhampton City Council planning meeting on Tuesday, The Bushbury Arms will change to a development comprising 24 homes and apartments and The Villiers will become 13 apartments with two-semi-detached houses behind.

Plans to change the run-down Bushbury Arms were welcomed by councillors on the planning committee, who said they were delighted to approve it.

The pub has been the target of a number of arson attacks, including one in December 2013, which badly damaged the bar area just weeks after the nearby Strykers bowling alley had burned down.

Councillor Mike Hardacre said: "If the choice is between dereliction and development then I'd see no point of dereliction and would like to see it developed with family houses for young people in our city, which are vitally needed."

Councillor Ian Claymore added: "I know the area very well and obviously the pub in question is history. The application can only be seen as a win-win situation for the community."

In January 2009, a 28-year-old man was attacked in the street outside The Villiers Arms. At the time, police built up a dossier of violence at the venue saying they had been 'several incidents of drunk behaviour, fighting and two incidents of substantial disorder at the premises'.

On the Villiers Arms plan, Councillor John Rowley said: "I think we have to realise the pub has had its day and is never going to be revived. "

Councillor Keith Inston said: "I'm sure this site can be turned into a real asset for Wolverhampton."