Whole of historic Dudley police station including old cells to be turned into apartments
The whole of Dudley’s historic police station is set to be turned into apartments including old office rooms and the criminals’ cells.
The police station opened at the height of the Second World War along with a fire and ambulance service all provided in a single building.
In May 2021, planning permission was granted for the conversion of the basement and ground floor of the station from offices into 14 apartments. Now developers have lodged plans to develop the remaining floors into 10 more apartments making 24 in all.
The scheme proposes 10 new residential apartments on the first and second floors. The apartments will be a mix of one and two bedroom apartments as well as some studio apartments.
Dudley Police Station is located on the corner of the junction between New Street and Tower Street within Dudley Town Centre. Along Tower Street, the building connects to the old Dudley Fire Station which has now been converted and forms part of the Dudley College – Evolve.
The fire station and ambulance station were constructed, along with the police station from April 1939, and opened on October 22nd 1941. The building is a key part of the Victorian and inter-war area of Dudley Town Centre.
The developer, Evolve Planning, says the character, appearance and significance of the police station will be maintained. A representative said: “The proposed development seeks to sensitively restore this non-designated heritage and will not alter those elements of the building that contribute to its significance.
“The proposals are essential for the viable re-use of the asset and will ensure its long-term conservation. There will be no harm to the non-designated heritage asset and the proposals will sustain the character and appearance, and significance, of the conservation area.
“From a heritage perspective, the proposals would lead to significant benefits. The proposals would also deliver significant local economic, social and environmental benefits in line with the objectives of achieving sustainable development.
“This includes enhancing the vitality of the local community and its services through spending from future residents, as well as New Homes Bonus Scheme funding for the council. There will also be social benefits through the delivery of housing as well as environmental benefits through promoting sustainable travel patterns and protecting heritage assets within the Dudley town centre conservation area.”
The plans will soon go before Dudley Planning Committee for a decision.
