Flats plan for former Wolverhampton customs building approved
The former HM Revenue and Customs building in Wolverhampton city centre will be turned into 95 new flats, city council planners decided this week.
One of Wolverhampton’s most recognisable office buildings for many years, Crown House in Birch Street has been vacant since the government body announced it would be moving all staff to Birmingham in 2015.
Previous applications to convert the block into flats were made in 2018 and 2020 but the plans never came to fruition.
Darlington-based developers Rise Homes Ltd is now planning to convert the empty six-storey building, situated close to Chapel Ash Island on the Ring Road, into luxury accommodation.
David Marjoram, Senior Planner with ELG Planning, also based in Darlington, said in a statement to the council: “This application is for 95 apartments, of which 70 will be one-bedroom and 25 two-bedroom.
“Because of its city centre location, A wide range of shops and services are available within a short walk or cycle ride of the property.
“Furthermore, public transport access is excellent, with Wolverhampton’s main bus and rail stations around one kilometre away.
“The existing property has 145 parking spaces, of which 125 bays will be retained alongside the creation of six new disabled spaces.
“All of the floors in the building have sizeable windows, and conversions will be carried out in such a way as to maximise the benefit of these. No apartments will be created that do not have a window,” he added.
It comes after another landmark office block in Wolverhampton was sold last year.
Telecom House was bought for £4.25m. The 84,876 sq ft building, which is to be converted to 156 apartments, was sold for £4.25 million to Empire Property.
