Homes plan for former housing association offices in Walsall
Former housing association offices in Walsall which have stood empty for months could be transformed into new homes.
NPS Contractors Ltd have put forward proposals to convert the former Accord Housing Association, Chamber of Commerce buildings on Ward Street and create 10 new apartments.
Accord merged with Green Square, to form Green Square Accord, in 2021 and the two buildings – Commerce House and RZ House – on site were vacated in October 2022.
The properties were placed for sale at auction and bought by NPS Contractors in December 2022.
If the plans are approved by Walsall Council planning officers, the development will see eight one-bedroom, one three-bed and one four-bedroom flats created across the two buildings.
Agent MTC Planning and Design said there were already 42 parking spaces on the site which meant there was sufficient provision for vehicles meaning there would be less impact on the highways.
They said: “This is a prior notification application that seeks to gain consent that the redundant commercial offices can be converted into residential accommodation.
“The site is located in close proximity to the edges of Walsall town centre.
“It is bounded to the east by established residential areas, to the north by former dwellings that have been converted into offices, to the south by a series of light industrial units, and as noted to the west a council owned car par.
“The area between the site and Lichfield Street which is a traditional town centre street within Walsall is dominated by a number of large supermarket shops.
“Each served by their own sizeable car parks. As such the site is visually disconnected form the traditional town centre
“Local services and amenities in close proximity to the site include public parks, doctor surgeries, educational centres, and large supermarkets.
“The site is in walking distance to Walsall bus station that provides regular public transport connections to all major towns and cities.
“This scheme does comply with all permitted development rights criteria and as such the buildings can be converted into open market residential accommodation.”
