Former Wolverhampton city centre solicitors offices to be turned into five apartments

The Grade II listed Victorian townhouse in Waterloo Road, previously occupied by Woodhouse Solicitors, was granted listed building consent for redevelopment this week.

One of a terrace of six dwellings which are Grade II listed, the application to convert the property into one-bedroom flats was approved by planners, who said that numbers 22-32 Waterloo Road received “special mention” in the city centre conservation area appraisal.

The application, made by Mrs Harpreet Kaur of Church Lane, Wolverhampton, aims to minimise the extent of both internal and external alterations in order to retain the building’s historic features.

A report to planners from Wolverhampton-based Thorne Architecture, acting on behalf of Mrs Kaur, said: “This property is somewhat more ornamented than many of the other 19th Century houses which survive in the street. Taken with its neighbours as a whole, it is finely proportioned and dominant.

“With a rusticated plinth, projecting bays, ornamental railings and decorated architraves on the windows and doorways, the building is a typical example of early Victorian architecture. However, the rear wing is devoid of historical character internally.

“At the moment there is significant dampness in the rear of the property, so work will be required to overcome this. Rainwater butts and lowering of the external finished levels will also help. The existing painted brickwork will be rendered and new contemporary windows added, which will increase light levels in the rooms. External views are not brilliant, but landscaping work on the sunken courtyard will provide a tranquil outlook from the apartments in this wing.

“Inside, covings, skirting boards, door frames and architraves are still intact and will be retained. The flush painted and veneer doors will be replaced with six panelled and painted timber doors,” added the statement.

“There are currently three car parking spaces for the property and these will remain, along with the additional instalment of an EV charging point. The rear courtyard will be repaved and a freestanding trellis for ornamental climbing plants put up in a planting bed. This will provide a living screen to the wall of the property next door. A small formal garden with an ornamental tree is also proposed for the front garden.”