City of Wolverhampton Council has approved plans by housing developer Stonebond to build 60 new homes on the site of the former Grasshopper factory in Craddock Street, Whitmore Reans. The development will include a mix of one-bed flats and new homes, replacing the building that was destroyed by fire in December 2021.
Planning Approval and Objections
The council's planners said: “The objections raised have been considered, and the benefits of the scheme as set out in the submitted documents outweigh the concerns raised. There will not be an impact on the character of the area, neighbours’ amenities or highway safety that would have justified a reason for refusing the application.”
The steel-framed building originally belonged to the Grasshopper baby clothing company before becoming an Xercise4Less gym in 2014. The site had been included in the council's housing plans since the early 1990s, appearing in various development plans and housing documents without action. Most recently, it was listed as a potential site for up to 48 new homes.
Fire and Aftermath
As many as 90 firefighters were sent to Craddock Street at around 1am on December 6, 2021, as flames tore through and destroyed the warehouse, which had been used to store furniture. Nearby homes were evacuated as firefighters battled for two-and-a-half hours to bring the blaze under control.
A statement included with the application said: “The final scheme has benefited considerably from the input of various parties. The comments from all parties have been carefully considered and the design proposal has been adapted to take these comments into account. The development is shown to be a sustainable, respectful development and will provide a mix of high-quality family homes.”
Previous 5G Tower Dispute
Last year, City of Wolverhampton Council was overruled by a government inspector over a move to install a 5G tower in front of the planned new housing estate. The council's planners refused the installation of the 20-metre 5G tower, saying it would be “to the detriment” of future residents. Despite admitting the 5G tower would 'harm the character' of the area, the government planning inspector overruled the council and allowed the work to go ahead.
