City of Wolverhampton Council has given the green light to demolish a residential unit providing specialist accommodation for children, clearing the way for a new development of eight affordable maisonettes.
From Specialist Care to New Homes
The two-storey building, situated on the corner of Merridale Street West and Zoar Street and built in 2011, will be torn down. The unit, located next to the Particular Ukrainian Catholic Church, was designed to house four children requiring specialist support.
Council planners stated the new development would represent a significant investment and create good quality homes. They acknowledged the loss of the relatively modern building but argued the approved scheme would double the number of residential units on the site, making it a more effective use of the land.
Why Demolition Won Over Conversion
Originally, the council explored converting the existing accommodation into four housing units. However, following a site visit with councillors in early 2025, this plan was abandoned.
A statement submitted with the planning application explained that the conversion proposals, drawn up by BM3 Architects, presented significant uncertainty regarding costs and timescales. The layout of the proposed apartments was also criticised for being designed to simply 'fit' the existing space rather than being properly tailored to meet residents' needs.
Officials concluded that demolishing the structure and constructing purpose-built maisonettes offered clear benefits. The new plan, which also includes eight parking spaces, is expected to provide better security and make superior use of the plot.
Ongoing Development in the Area
This decision is part of a wider pattern of redevelopment in the vicinity. In September, the council approved plans to demolish a row of 36 garages on the opposite side of Zoar Street to facilitate the construction of a three-storey block containing 12 new flats.
The latest approval for the Merridale Street West site marks a decisive shift from providing specialist children's accommodation to addressing the pressing demand for more affordable housing within the city.
