Former pub up for auction as council backs redevelopment

A former Wolverhampton pub lined up for transformation into homes is set to go under the hammer with bids invited from £299,000 at Bond Wolfe’s livestreamed auction this week.

The old Rookery Tavern, in Wood Street, Lanesfield, has been closed since late 2014 and is currently the subject of a planning application for demolition and redevelopment, creating 24 apartments.

Although the application has not been decided yet, Wolverhampton Council has written an “in principle” letter of support for the scheme.

Colin Totney, land and development surveyor at Bond Wolfe, said: “This site offers an ideal opportunity for a developer. It sits in the middle of a large residential area with local services including a popular and highly successful local primary school.

“Planning permission to redevelop the site for homes has already been secured since the pub closed nearly eight years ago, but this has now expired. The local authority clearly supports the new planning application and the general proposal to provide much needed new housing on the site.

“We are expecting highly competitive bidding for this property when it comes up for auction at our sale event on Thursday 9 September. Our online auctions are attracting thousands of viewers and potential bidders from across the country and overseas and the former Rookery Tavern is just the sort of keenly-priced redevelopment opportunity many of them are looking for.”

Previous planning permission for demolition and redevelopment of 12 flats and a pair of semi-detached houses has now lapsed and a new application for redevelopment providing 24 flats with parking and amenity space is still awaiting council approval.

It is about 2.5 miles south of Wolverhampton city centre and close to the main Birmingham New Road.

The Rookery Tavern is one of the 211 lots listed in Bond Wolfe’s next auction which starts at 9am on Thursday 9 September.