Former Kingswinford Npower site earmarked for flats
The former Npower base in Kingswinford which closed three years ago is set to be brought back into use after new plans to turn it into homes were revealed.
The offices in High Street, which have been empty since the energy giant pulled the plug on it, would be converted into 66 one and two-bedroom flats under the plans which have been unveiled by Mandale Apartments.
Npower's announcement in 2013 that the Kingswinford site was to close sent shockwaves around the West Midlands.
Around 300 people were employed there, many of whom lost their jobs.
Mandale sees the four-storey building as the perfect opportunity to create new apartments.
It lies close to the main A491 and is a relatively short distance from both Wolverhampton and Stourbridge.
The company said the site is no longer suitable to be used as offices and has been difficult to lease out since its closure.
A total of 42 one-bedroom flats and 24 two-bedroom flats would be created. Only minimal alterations would need to be made to the building, the firm said.
The car park, which has 104 spaces, would be left in place to be used by the occupants of the new flats.
The plans are set to be lodged with Dudley Council in the coming weeks.
A report released alongside the plans said: "The site is located in a highly sustainable location within a predominantly residential area and comfortable walking distance of a number of services and facilities.
"Moreover, the application site falls on bus route 205, which connects Kingswinford with Dudley and the wider West Midlands."
Kingswinford councillor Dave Tyler said turning the building into homes may be the best solution for its future.
He said: "We ought to look at what other options there are. One option is to leave it derelict and allow it to become an eyesore - it is not owned by the council so we have no control over it. Then there is always the prospect it will become a target for vandals and arsonists.
"Another option is a company moves its workforce in there. Then we would have the same problems with parking we had when Npower was there.
"Bringing buildings back into use on brownfield sites that are empty is welcome but we obviously have to look at the effect on the community as well."
The loss of the Npower site came as a huge blow to Kingswinford and the wider area.
Councillor Tyler said: "It had a big effect on the community. A lot of people worked there and you don't know what happens to those people, who had mortgages to pay and families to feed."
