Transformational £55m scheme moves forward

The transformational Westside scheme in Wolverhampton has been submitted for planning permission as the £55m project moves forward.

A multiplex cinema, a 100-plus bedroom hotel, restaurants covering 40,000 sq ft, 50,000 sq ft of additional leisure space, and a multi-storey car park are lined up for Westside’s first phase.

Cllr John Reynolds,  Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for city economy, described the application as “another important step for this fantastic city centre scheme”.

Developer Urban&Civic is behind the scheme which, if approved, is scheduled to take around two years to build.

Philip Leech, property director for Urban&Civic, said they had seen an “exceptional level of interest from occupiers”.

Enabling works continue on the leisure-led mixed use scheme, and strong demand from occupiers means construction on the first phase remains on track to start in 2018.

Reynolds added: “There is a general enthusiasm around the Westside opportunity, and optimism concerning the groundswell of regeneration activity across the city, where £3.7bn of investment is on site or in the pipeline.”

Plans for phase two are for city centre homes and additional retail and leisure space, with a target completion date of 2022.