Moves to bring the former Wolverhampton Royal Hospital site back into use will take a significant step forward next week as plans for the redevelopment of the site are unveiled.
The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) will be holding a public consultation event on 20th September to present the plans for the site and invite feedback from local residents and other key stakeholders.
A planning application for the regeneration and redevelopment of the former Royal Hospital site to develop new homes will be submitted later in September following the consultation.
The proposed scheme will create up to 193 new homes and apartments at the site, through both new development and the re-use of the landmark Grade II Listed hospital building.
The former hospital lodge building on Cleveland Road is proposed to be converted to accommodate a café and community facilities to support the new housing development.
The proposals have been prepared following extensive discussions with City of Wolverhampton Council and local stakeholders.
The plans for the Royal Hospital site are the second phase in the redevelopment of the wider area, with work to prepare for 146 new homes on the adjacent former Wolverhampton Bus Depot already underway.
Following the granting of planning permission for the homes on the bus depot site in November 2016 extensive work has been undertaken to demolish the bus depot buildings. The HCA has now completed site remediation and levelling of the site and is working in partnership with City of Wolverhampton Council to design and implement environmental improvements along Cleveland Road. This will create an improved link with the wider city centre, as part of the council’s strategic regeneration plans for the city.
In total the Royal Hospital and bus depot site comprises 12.5 acres of land and will be predominately used for residential development.
Karl Tupling, General Manager for the HCA in the Midlands, said: “After more than a decade of development delays associated with the former site owners, the HCA’s proposals will speed up the construction of new homes and reintegrate this area of Wolverhampton with the city centre, creating a safe and thriving community.
“We’re really pleased to be able to announce that we will shortly be submitting a planning application for 193 new homes and apartments on the former hospital site to add to the 146 homes already planned for Wolverhampton’s former bus depot, increasing the supply of new homes for local people.”
City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing and Assets, Councillor Peter Bilson, said: “This planning application is very welcome news for the city.
“People have obviously seen the Royal Hospital come back into view through the demolition of the former bus and tram depot.
“We will now work closely with the HCA on their plans to ensure the building is preserved and sensitively developed.
“It will be great to see this historic building and its surroundings brought back into use, while at the same time delivering a major boost to housing in the city.”
