Former offices could become 16-bedroom HMO in Walsall

Developer Connor MacLeod has put forward a proposal to convert a Grade II Listed empty office building in Bradford Street into a new residential scheme.

If the plans are approved, work would be carried out internally to the existing property while a three storey extension would be built at the back.

The three-storey property was built in around 1830 and has been used for a number of commercial ventures, including once housing the now defunct Walsall Advertiser weekly newspaper.

Agents Murtagh Studio said the front elevation has the interest and characteristics which makes it worthy of Grade II Listed status.

It also sits in the Bradford Street Conservation Area and is one of several buildings in the same row which carry the listed status.

They said: “The applications site is situated in the centre of Walsall. Within a short distance of the site is good access to public transport such as Walsall train station and local bus routes along Bradford Street.

“Bradford Street sits within the local conservation area which is dominated by commercial buildings which typically is retail, commercial and residential.”

In a heritage statement, Murtagh Studio added: “The current state of the building requires uplifting to ensure the building maintains integrity for its future.

“Internal changes are to be carried out, which will not impact the overall characteristics of the front elevation changing the existing building into a house of multiple occupation.

“Proposed is a three storey rear extension, it is considered that this addition does not adversely affect the characteristics and heritage of the building.

“To the front elevation, it is proposed that the windows are to be replaced with similar in aesthetic uPVC windows.

“This is considered an improvement to the existing metal single glazed windows, improving the thermal qualify of the envelope and increasing the longevity of the building.

“Any prior internal heritage assets have since been removed during previous ownerships.

“Where the has not been maintained to a reasonable standard, the application seeks to make minor amendments to the layout to suit the requirements

for the proposed application to a HMO.”