All systems go for historic hospital site

• 27th August 2021

Corporate news

whg has exchanged contracts with Jessup to build 192 homes at the former Royal Hospital site in Wolverhampton. Passing this milestone means that work to transform the historic building can now begin.

Jessup initially secured the contract to transform the city centre site, with Homes England, the Government’s housing agency. Through a subsequent partnership with leading Midlands landlord and developer whg, the scheme will create a multi-generational, mixed tenure community right at the heart of the city.

The proposals for the development received planning consent in May. The Grade II listed building will be sympathetically restored and converted into a wellbeing scheme for people aged over 55. It will consist of 38 one and two bedroom apartments.

An additional 123 homes for affordable rent and 31 for shared ownership will be built on land to the rear of the hospital building.

The completed site will also include high quality landscaping and a stunning pedestrianised area which will help connect the scheme with the city centre and all its amenities.

Rebecca Bennett Casserly, whg’s Corporate Director of Development, said: “We are delighted to be breathing new life into this key gateway into Wolverhampton.

“We are already working with Jessup on the redevelopment of the former bus depot site, in front of the hospital, which is nearing completion. I am very proud that we are continuing our partnership work to transform the area further.

“We are very aware of the significance of this landmark site in the city and look forward to reporting on key milestones reached during the three year construction period.”

Clive Jessup, CEO of Jessup, said: “We are excited to deliver this much awaited scheme with whg, delivering high quality homes and public open space for the community to enjoy.

“We appreciate the importance of the iconic former Royal Hospital building to the people of Wolverhampton and we are honoured to bring it back into use as a wellbeing scheme.

“This site will be developed using our West Midlands-based supply chain and local apprentices.”

City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Economy, Councillor Stephen Simkins, said: “The fact that works will soon get started on redeveloping this strategically important site is great news for regeneration in our city.

“We are working closely with Jessup and whg to ensure a suitable scheme is being brought forward that will uplift and transform this area and deliver new housing and hundreds of jobs – making the Royal site a key gateway to the city centre.

“Projects such as these are critical to our recovery from Covid-19 – creating jobs in construction and the supply chain, driving further investment and giving our businesses confidence to get back on their feet and grow.”

Tara Kennedy, Senior Development Manager at Homes England, said: “The transformation of the former Royal Hospital site is a real positive for Wolverhampton.

“Bringing an historic building back into use as homes for older people and creating more new, affordable homes for the wider community is a fantastic achievement for all involved.

“The new homes development, along with the almost completed bus depot site, will create a new focal point for bringing new and existing residents together. I am very proud of our work with partners across these two sites to create quality homes and a real a sense of place.”

Work is set to start on the main hospital building in the next few weeks, with a planned completion date of autumn/winter 2024.