Developer tries again in fresh bid to turn empty Walsall offices into homes

High Gate Developments has put forward a fresh proposal to convert the first floor of the Goodall Street property – originally built as a studio for an art college – into four one and two-bed flats above existing shops.

Earlier this year, they were blocked from creating five apartments in the space after Walsall Council planners said the apartments would be too small.

Officers also raised concerns about the failure to provide refuse bin storage and collection arrangements.

But the developer has amended plans in a bid to address concerns, most notably by dropping the number of proposed flats down to four – three one bed and one two bed.

The property was built more than 100 years ago and intended as a painting studio for the old art college but was later converted into offices and shops.

Plans to convert the space into residential use were given the go-ahead back in 2015 but were shelved and remained as offices instead.

A lack of demand for offices in the town centre has resulted in the proposal to convert it into a residential development.

Agents M K Cotton said: “The applicant wishes to create high quality flat units suitable for medical and care staff as it well positioned to Walsall town. The flats proposed are one and two bed units with a spacious layout.

“In 2015 a Prior Approval application was granted for conversion to five flats but the conversion was not progressed. The then owners personal circumstances changed and the premises remained as offices.

“The current owner concluded that there is little demand for town centre office space and re-applied to convert the upper floor to residential use with Prior Approval. It was rejected due to changes in space standards.

“This is the re-submission following re-design to address the refusal points.”

A decision on the proposal is expected to be made by Walsall Council planners next month.