New apartment block to replace dilapidated industrial estate in Wolverhampton

The blighted units in Drayton Street, opposite Graiseley Park in Wolverhampton, would be demolished and replaced with a new four-storey apartment block with 43 flats.

The apartment block approved by City of Wolverhampton Council includes a new shop, gym and residents’ swimming pool as well as a 37-space underground car park.

The units, which includes a training centre, bathroom showroom and a partially demolished fire-damaged building known as Nadeem House, would all be knocked down to make way for the new housing. The remaining industrial units are outside of the applicant’s ownership with many unoccupied.

The application has now been approved by planners at City of Wolverhampton Council who said the move would improve the character of the vacant and derelict site and boost housing numbers in Graiseley and Blakenhall.

“The redevelopment of this site will provide a positive contribution to the area, following a perimeter block design and heights compatible with nearby buildings,” a council report said. “The external appearance and scale of the development is good. The proposed redevelopment of this site will also contribute towards the council’s housing targets, providing housing in a sustainable location.

“The proposed development will provide on-site amenity space for residents, and sufficient parking facilities to meet the demands of the development particularly as this is a highly accessible location, located within walking distance of nearby services and amenities.”

A statement by planning agent Thorne Architecture included with the application by Nadeem Ahmad from Northern Gas Heating said: “The site is bordered to the west, north and east by industrial and commercial property which is under-utilised and it is apparent that the nature of the area is set to change over the coming years due to ongoing decline and the redevelopment of sites for residential use.”