Two-storey hotel and function halls set to transform site of former Wolverhampton car dealership
A two-storey hotel and 1000-capacity function halls could soon transform derelict land which has stood empty for years.
The ‘unkempt’ land in Blakenhall, Wolverhampton, which used to house a Volvo car dealership and bowling green, is earmarked for the development under proposals submitted to the council.
But the plans have not been welcomed by The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT), which claimed the development would place ‘pressure’ on its nearby health centre.
In his application to the council, agent Ian Ray said: “A derelict site that has lain dormant for many years will finally be developed with quality buildings whilst providing long term employment and facilities for the local populous.”
Developers want to build a 600-capacity banqueting hall, along with a function hall for 400 guests at the site of the former Bridge Cross Garage. A 30-bed hotel would also be built on the land, which stands at the junction of Dudley Road and Parkfield Road.
The proposals would also see spaces for 86 cars and six disabled spaces created, along with spaces for motorbikes and bicycles, on the bowling green.
Mr Ray said transforming the ‘undeveloped and unkempt parcel of land’ would create 20 full-time and 25 part-time jobs, adding: “The development will make a positive contribution towards completing the frontage and street scene of Parkfield Road.”
Planning bosses at Wolverhampton council have recommended councillors give the plans the green light at a meeting next Tuesday.
In its report to the planning committee, planning officers have recommended developers hand over a £20,000 compensatory payment for loss of the bowling green - which is in a ‘poor state of repair’. Cash would be used to provide or enhance sports facilities in Wolverhampton.
But RWT, which runs neighbouring Phoenix Health Centre, has raised fears car parking will be ‘inadequate’.
Its health centre, in Parkfield Road, is currently used to run one of just two nurse led walk-in centres in Wolverhampton, as well as a range of community clinics.
Stuart Lowndes, property services surveyor at RWT, said the trust is concerned it will be forced to bring in measures to prevent hotel and function hall visitors from parking at its health centre.
He added: “We already struggle with car parking in this area for both staff and patients who attend clinics here and we are concerned that this development may add further pressures to car parking in this locality.”
“For the existing vehicles which cannot park on the health centre car park once it is at capacity, it is likely to force patients, many of whom are unwell and or immobile, to walk longer distances to reach the health centre.”
Development plans would also see a kitchen within the hotel, as well as reception, office, bars and cloakrooms at the function halls.
