Former Dudley police station could be converted into flats - even the cells
Residents could find themselves living ‘behind bars’ in a scheme to convert the former Dudley Police Station and police cells into apartments.
Dudley Council planners are now considering a scheme to create 14 flats on the basement and ground floor levels of the building on the corner of New Street in the town centre.
And one of the proposed ground floor apartments will be created where three old cells are with two bedrooms and a living room having views that police prisoners once ‘enjoyed’.
Agent Planning Design & Build Ltd said the scheme – providing 11 one-bedroom and three two-bedroom apartments – would bring the vacant building in the conservation area back into use.
They added there could also be investment to redevelopment the remaining other two floors of the old station in future.
The building has been empty for several years since closing in 2017 as part of cost-cutting measures.
A number of former stations have been sold off, raising more than £1 million for the force.
West Midlands Police is pressing ahead with plans to build a huge new HQ in Dudley to replace a number of crumbling smaller stations around the borough, and had a bid accepted in June 2019 for land off Hall Street.
But the project has been hit with delays due to legal complexities around the purchase and, at a Strategic Policing and Crime Board meeting in March, chief constable Dave Thompson likened the deal to “buying a house”.
In their application, the developer said there would be no significant changes to the exterior of the building, apart from adding a ramp for access through the main entrance.
They said: “The proposed conversion of the basement and ground floor level to flats is considered to comply with policies.
“The use would be sustainable and ensure that the vacant building is bought into use. And that the heritage asset within the Conservation is preserved.
“The provision of flats would provide valuable accommodation for key workers, professionals and students using the town centre.
“This would also complement existing business uses, provide valuable footfall traffic to the centre and its facilities.
“The owner would continue to invest in the site and redevelop it and allow the opportunity to redevelop the remaining floors of the building.”
