‘Gateway’ flats to replace eyesore car wash in Wolverhampton
New plans would see a car wash in Waterloo Road replaced with 28 new flats and three homes
An eyesore car wash opposite Molineux Stadium will be cleared to make way for new flats.
New plans would see a car wash in Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton, which also contains a warehouse for tyre repairs and a large hoard of scrap cars, replaced with 28 new flats and three homes after receiving the backing of City of Wolverhampton Council’s planners.
A six-bed home in Waterloo Road, just a stone’s throw from Wolverhampton Wanderers’ home ground Molineux, would be demolished to make way for the new three and four-storey blocks of flats.
City of Wolverhampton Council welcomed the plans saying it would provide much-needed housing and remove the “anomaly” car wash in the predominantly residential area.
“The proposed development would result in the regeneration of a key location within the city and contribute towards the council’s housing targets, providing modern quality housing in a sustainable location,” the authority’s planners said in a report outlining the approval.
“Waterloo Road is a key frontage and is a prominent location. The proposed development would enhance this frontage and provide a positive response to its surroundings. The height varies to take account of surrounding buildings and would not appear out of scale or character.”
A home in nearby Francis Street would be partially demolished to make room for new terraced houses.
The planning application said 35 parking spaces would be included to serve the new flats and homes.
The planning application by Major Singh said the removal of the car storage yard and car wash “represented a significant visual and environmental improvement to the site and its setting” as well as reduce noise and disturbance for neighbours.
A statement included with the application said: “The proposed development at Waterloo Road represents a well-considered and policy-compliant scheme that will deliver 31 high-quality residential units in a sustainable location, replace a vehicle-intensive commercial use with a more appropriate residential use, reduce vehicle movements and improve local amenity, enhance the visual appearance and character of the site, and provide appropriate parking, servicing, and sustainable transport measures.
“Overall, the scheme will result in a clear and demonstrable improvement to the site and surrounding area.”