Short stay apartments plan for former garage site in centre of Wolverhampton

The disused unit in Castle Street backs onto a three-storey former solicitor’s office at 47 Queen Street.

Dating back to the 1930s, the single-storey garage was previously used as parking for the law firm but has fallen into decline in recent years.

Developers AAJ Property Management has now submitted an application to planners for the new studio flats on the site, with a view to them being predominantly used by people coming to the area for short-stay visits and making use of the local public transport network.

A statement from Ink Drawn Architecture on behalf of the applicant said: “The proposals seek to demolish the garage and replace it with a traditionally detailed two-storey structure, based on historic aerial photographs of the site from the 1920s.

"The developer aims to use this opportunity to prevent further deterioration of the site and reinvigorate the area with a new residential building that will operate as serviced apartments.

“Located at the heart of the city centre, it is a one-minute walk away from Wolverhampton Bus Station, providing excellent public transport links beyond the city and out across the West Midlands. The railway station and Midland Metro are also nearby.

“There is an extensive network of roads locally, with vehicular access to Pipers Row via the one-way system from Castle Street to Market Street and Queen Street. Pipers Row then leads to the wider highways links in and out of the city centre.

“Falling within the local conservation area – and as a site with a grade II listed building within its curtilage – it can be considered that the existing garage has had a negative impact on the street setting.

"This is a good opportunity to reintroduce a building with architectural and conservation merit. Castle Street is relatively active with numerous offices and light industrial premises, and although regular, traffic and pedestrian use are both relatively light."

The new building will have its main entrance on Castle Street, leading directly into a communal corrider which will give access to the two ground floor apartments.

The upper floor will be reached by a communal stairwell with a security door through to the other two flats. Internally, each apartment will be open-plan with flexible arrangements for seating and sleeping adjacent to kitchen and en-suite areas.

A census record from 1871 relating to the original property records three people living in the dwelling – Thomas, an ironworks labourer, Mary Weaver, and William Harper, a brass finisher.

In 1881 a bricklayer and his family are listed as residing there. Council planners will make a decision on the proposals in the coming months.