First plans submitted for huge Wolverhampton city centre regeneration scheme which includes 1,000 homes

The first part of a huge city centre regeneration scheme that will eventually see more than 1,000 new homes built has been submitted.

The regeneration project, which covers a 12-acre site linking School Street and Darlington Street in Wolverhampton, includes plans for up to 1,070 new homes as well as space for shops, bars and restaurants. 

A planning application, which includes several apartment blocks, marks the first of several phases proposed for the empty site next to the city’s ring road and has now been submitted to planners at Wolverhampton Council. 

The first phase includes building more than 300 new flats on the site of the city’s former indoor market in Peel Street as well as the area around the city centre’s Market Square.

The work, a joint venture between the City of Wolverhampton Council, Homes England, Legal and General and developer Muse, would include an improved market square and space for shops, restaurants, cafes and outdoor seating. 

It will provide as many as 1,070 homes, including affordable homes.

The planning application is expected to be decided at the start of next year. 

Work could begin later in 2025 if approved. 

A statement included with the application said: “This site presents a hugely exciting opportunity to introduce a new, transformational residential offer at a scale that will positively impact the city centre and support local retail and amenity offers. It will help to repair the urban fabric of the site and establish a new, bold and proud neighbourhood to the area.”

The former market site has been vacant since the famous building was demolished in 2017 and was earmarked as a potential venue for the city council’s much-touted £6 million boxpark. 

The ‘boxpark’, providing a home for outdoor entertainment and food and drink vendors in converted shipping containers, was due to open this year but has since been put on hold as the council hunts for a new location.