Landmark Wolverhampton house to make way for retirement apartment block

Developers McCarthy & Stone want to knock down the Clock House in Stockwell Road, Tettenhall, and build 22 apartments for elderly people and a 25-vehicle car park in its place.

The project, which was first mooted last year, has caused anger among residents, many of whom want to see the historical site preserved.

And their fury reached boiling point last month when it emerged the firm had been marketing the apartments before planning permission had been sought.

Now, following a consultation with residents official plans have been submitted to Wolverhampton City Council.

Under the scheme the clock tower - a three-quarter scale replica of the famous tower on Upper Green – will be retained, as will the site's existing trees.

Bosses at McCarthey & Stone say they have changed a number of proposals following meetings with residents.

The total height of the wings of the building will be 2.5 storeys, rather than the three storeys proposed before consulting residents.

A separate 'coach house' that the firm wanted to construct next to the main building has been scrapped after residents voiced their disapproval, while new landscaping will be implemented in place of a proposed car port.

Should planning permission be granted, the development will be shielded from neighbouring properties along its southern boundary by additional trees and foliage.

Darren Humphreys, regional managing director for the Midlands at McCarthy & Stone, said: "We have carefully revised and improved the design of our original plans to take on board, where possible, local comments and to ensure the character of the local area and neighbouring outlook is respected.

"It is important that a community meets the housing needs of all its residents.

"This high-quality, age exclusive development for people over 55, which is located close to local shops and facilities, would contribute to the overall housing needs in the area, whilst improving the range of housing choice available to people in later life."

The land is considered to be of huge historical importance in the village.

It was formerly owned by Mr and Mrs Edward Swindley, who donated the clock tower on Upper Green to the people of Tettenhall in 1911.

The family also left land to the village in the 1930s, including the Stockwell Farm duck pond which was converted into Tettenhall's paddling pool.

Residents were vocal in their opposition to the initial scheme, setting up a 'Save Tettenhall's Open Spaces' campaign to fight what they say is over-development of the area.