New flats to be created above Wolverhampton city centre shops

Wolverhampton Council planners gave the thumbs-up to the proposal by London and Cambridge Properties to convert the first and second floors above 22 and 23 Victoria Street into the flats.

They will be above a number of businesses trading from the ground floor of the property, including the Forbidden Planet comic shop.

The proposal also involves converting two empty retail units – which have fronts on the adjacent St John’s Street – into a bin and bike store.

In total, there will be one studio, nine one-bedroom and four two-bedroom apartments created within the development.

Agents LCP said: “The proposed development consists of the conversion of the existing building, which is currently used as storage space associated with the ground floor commercial units.

Converted

“There are plentiful opportunities for public transport in the area in the form of the train station and the bus stop, both of which are situated approximately a 10-minute walk from the site.

“Therefore, the site is a sustainable location for additional residential development and the principle of residential development in such a sustainable location is acceptable.

“Units 4-6 St John’s Street at ground floor would be converted from vacant retail space to form a bike and bin store to serve the proposed development.

“These ground floor units have been vacant since 2015 and marketed accordingly with little interest.

“Therefore, an alternative use should be sought for the units and it is considered appropriate that they are used to support a sustainable town centre residential development on the upper floors of the building.

“A new residential entrance would also be introduced to the ground floor of the site, with new glass panels and a main door to serve the proposed entrance to the flats.”