Wolverhampton office block could become 100 new apartments

An application has been submitted which aims to turn Telecom House, in Church Street near the Way Youth Zone, into scores of new homes.

The six-storey, almost 85,000 sq ft building was formerly the home of BT in the city and is within the St John’s Square conservation area.

The plans could see 47 one-bedroom apartments created, along with 53 two-bedroom apartments. A total of 70 car parking spaces would also be available.

If approved, the developer would also seek to provide construction jobs for people in the local area, though the amount of jobs available is not yet known.

According to the application: "There are no external changes proposed to the building as part of this submission. The existing parking facilities will be retained for future use of any new residents and there is ample parking provision in this regard.

"In addition, in the context of the sites locality, the site is in a sustainable location within the city centre with good accessibility to existing services, facilities and alternative modes of travel."

The plans state there is no proposal to alter the roads or access points to the site.

The plans state: "There are no planned alterations to the existing highway access points. The proposed conversion will provide 100 apartments."

People will still be able to enter and exit the site through Church Street.

The application says: "The existing access points are to remain unaltered and are considered to be adequate for the purpose of conversion to residential.

"The change of use will not have a materially different impact on the highway network."

The surrounding buildings are primarily shops and offices with the developer considering the impact of noise on the site.

The application states: "It is not considered that the application site will be subject to unacceptable levels of noise impacts from any of the surrounding commercial premises and as such there should be no material impact on the potential occupiers of the residential units."

Telereal Trillium is the developer applying to create the new flats.

The group has previously bought the Beldray Industrial Estate in Bilston, along with another industrial estate in Milton Keynes.

A spokesperson for Telereal Trillium said: ""With BT vacating the offices at Church Street this summer we are looking to secure planning permission for a change of use to residential in order to maximise the future possibilities for the building, ensuring it is not left vacant.

"Such a development would bring an array of construction jobs and provide good quality new accommodation for people wishing to live in Wolverhampton city centre."

Tom Morley of Harris Lamb who are marketing the building added: "This is a very exciting opportunity for us to be involved with. The project will provide an affordable, high quality residential option to those wanting to live in the city centre, and even at this early stage there has been a great deal of interest in the building and its future, which is an excellent indication of the response we can expect upon completion of the scheme."