£21m regeneration plans for Wolverhampton approved

Plans for a £21m mixed-use development of a former bus depot site in Wolverhampton city centre have been approved.

Homes England had bought the site and demolished the former bus depot, to make way for new homes close to the Metro system and the city centre, and the council say the new development will provide a ‘key gateway’ into the city.

It will be a mixed-use scheme, consisting of 74 apartments and 18 houses for sale and there is also a YMCA building including retail space, a training and office area. There will also be a day nursery which will offer day care and education for up to 120 children aged from birth to 5 years, plus accommodation for young people working and studying in the city.

The development will also see the nearby former Royal Hospital building becoming a major feature, fronting a new public open space.

City of Wolverhampton Council deputy leader and cabinet member for city assets and housing, Peter Bilson, called the project a ‘major milestone’ for the city.

‘This is a strategically important site that is part of the £3.7bn regeneration taking place in our city.

‘The realisation of these designs will transform this area, bringing new housing, jobs and business – making the former Royal Hospital site a key gateway to the city centre.

‘It is a critical part of how we are re-imagining and reinventing our city centre, along with great connectivity, great public spaces, great new homes, a great leisure and sporting offer, vibrant events, outstanding arts and culture, and a thriving commercial district.’

In November, New Start spoke to Wolverhampton council managing director, Tim Johnson, about their plans for the city.

Speaking about the authority’s new ‘city centre commission,’ which will help to guide regeneration in Wolverhampton, he said: ‘For years Wolverhampton didn’t see the kind of investment that other city centres saw.

‘Strangely enough, that’s playing to our advantage now. We haven’t had investment in spaces that might now be redundant and we haven’t got masses of poor quality retail space.’