Revealed: How Wolverhampton's iconic Royal Hospital could become dozens of flats
Plans to transform Wolverhampton's Royal Hospital building into apartments have been unveiled – with the developer confirming its iconic facade will be retained.
The Grade II building will become 54 apartments and new homes will be built on surrounding land.
In total the ambitious £25 million scheme includes 193 homes, filling the land that has been levelled in front of the landmark building.
The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), which owns the hospital site, now plans to hold a public consultation event before submitting a formal planning application later this month.
Ahead of the consultation event on September 20 the HCA has unveiled computer generated images of how the building could look once the scheme is delivered. The images have been mocked up by Tweedale, the Wolverhampton-based architects who have helped design the scheme.
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 re-integrate 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.”
Wolverhampton council's 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.”
The homes would be in addition to the 146 new houses already being built on the adjacent former Wolverhampton Bus Depot:
As part of the plans unveiled today, the former hospital lodge building on Cleveland Road is proposed to be converted to a café and community facilities to support the new housing development.
The public consultation event will be at All Saints Community Centre, All Saints Road, on September 20 from 3pm until 8pm.
The HCA will present the plans for the site and invite feedback from residents.
