New homes among options for Wolverhampton Eye Infirmary site
A crumbling eye infirmary is likely to be turned into housing, its new owners have said, after they were cleared to redevelop the historic site.
The building on Compton Road, Wolverhampton, has fallen to ruins since being left empty 12 years ago.
But its new owners can finally start planning for its future after a court battle over the site concluded.
A judge ruled in favour of the city council which had served a notice against former owners the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust to bring the site back up to an acceptable standard, before it was promptly appealed by health bosses.
The courts supported the council’s case over the eye infirmary, which was sold during the proceedings.
The end of the wrangle means new owners BZ Property Holdings can now progress with plans which they hope will be submitted before the end of the year.
Zed Ahmed, from the company, said he expected the development to be residential but added the plans had not yet been finalised.
He said it was likely parts of the derelict building would be demolished and other parts protected and possibly converted to flats.
“We are working with the local authority currently on some new designs. We are looking to put some designs forward,” he said.
“Certainly bits will be demolished but bits will be kept, most likely the tower will be kept.
“I’m looking forward to getting everything done, we are working with the council and one of our partners.
“At the moment we are looking more at residential than commercial but if it is not financially viable we could possibly introduce commercial.
“We are looking at a full-blown planning application by December.”
Mr Ahmed has also urged people to stay away from the site as it may be unsafe.
Trespassers have been going into the visibly-crumbling relic and owners say people should stay away for their own safety.
He said: “Security is a lot better than it was. We have managed to keep trespassers off the site.
"We still want to warn everyone of the potential dangers inside the building now it is the school holidays. They should really be looking at other places to enjoy their time.”
The poor condition of the infirmary, which has been empty since 2007, led to a row between the city's council and NHS trust.
