Eyesore fire-hit Bilston home set to be rebuilt 27 years on

Wolverhampton Council has approved plans to demolish the remaining parts of the former house in Hall Park Street to make way for two new four-bed homes.

Most of the home in Hall Park Street was damaged by fire in 1997 and has been left alone since.

The work approved by council planners includes demolishing an existing garage and extensions for replacements.

A letter outlining the council’s decision said: "The proposed application will see the demolition of this extension and will reinstate a dwelling in its place. The proposal will mirror the existing dwelling with traditional architectural features.

"The existing property will have a replacement extension, reduced in length from the existing, improving the arrangement with the neighbouring property.

"Due consideration has been given to neighbouring amenity with regards to the loss of privacy, light and outlook to neighbouring residents and no adverse harm would cause to warrant refusal of this application."

Wolverhampton planners turned down a move to use what was salvageable from the fire to create a one-storey extension on the adjoining home but did then approve an application to demolish the fire-damaged home save for two rooms only a few months later.

The application, submitted earlier this year, said the new homes would "improve security for existing residents on a plot that has been a vacant eyesore for many years".

A statement included with the application added: “The proposed development will provide a replacement dwelling within a highly sustainable location that was extensively damaged by fire in the 1990s.

“The development will make optimal use of the application site and has been designed to fit in well with the surrounding properties. The development will not impact on neighbouring residential amenity and an acceptable access can be provided.