A planning application has been re-submitted to City of Wolverhampton Council seeking permission to build 47 flats next to the Black Country Route and Railway Drive in Bilston. The empty site, located near the former Bilston Central railway station, has a long history of planning applications, with similar plans for 47 flats previously backed by council planners in 2015.
History of proposals for the site
Over the past decade, several plans have been proposed for the disused site. In 2012, plans for 47 flats were submitted but not approved until 2015. Following that, other plans for 69 flats and 107 flats in an 11-storey block were submitted in 2013 and 2015 respectively, but both were rejected. The developer appealed both decisions, but government inspectors also rejected the appeals.
In 2020, another plan to build 56 flats on the land was put forward but later withdrawn. The site sits next to the West Midlands Metro route near the former Bilston Central railway station, which closed in 1972. A replacement tram stop opened with the new metro line in 1999.
Site conditions and sale history
Railway Drive has been blocked off to traffic for many years and has been constantly subject to fly-tipping. The empty land was put up for sale with a £1m asking price in 2023.
The new application includes a statement outlining the benefits of the redevelopment. It says: “The proposed redevelopment of the site will secure the use of previously developed land. Its redevelopment is considered to be entirely consistent with national and local planning policies concerned with making the best possible use of developed land and takes advantage of the sustainable qualities of the site.”
Details of the proposed development
The statement continues: “The provision of one and two-bedroom apartments will be directed towards smaller householders. The proposed development will provide an interesting, attractive and high-quality environment. The proposed development is well related and compatible with the surrounding pattern of residential development and can be undertaken without causing demonstrable harm to the amenity of adjacent properties.”
It adds: “The proposed development will produce an attractive gateway through Bilston and the degree of separation between the apartments and existing dwellings is such that no demonstrable harm will be caused to the amenity of nearby dwellings by reason of overlooking, loss or privacy or overshadowing.”
The application will now be considered by City of Wolverhampton Council planners, who will decide whether to grant permission for the 47 flats on the site.
