Temporary 24-hour car park open for another year

A temporary 24-hour car park at the centre of a planning row in Wolverhampton city centre can stay open for another year.

City of Wolverhampton Council agreed the 48-space car park, on the corner of School Street and Fold Street, could remain in operation despite it initially opening without planning permission in 2024.

Owners Parkit Management had their bid for retrospective planning permission rejected because the authority said the car park would stand in the way of its huge regeneration plans for the area. That decision was overturned by a government inspector.

The council approved this year's bid, agreeing the revenue would eventually allow the land to be used for more than 100 flats.

"The temporary use of the site as a car park will enable the landowner in maintaining the site and generating revenue which could contribute towards funding the approved housing scheme," it said.

Work on the Smithgate development, the city's largest regeneration scheme with 1,070 new homes along with shops and bars, began last year.

The site sits next to the council's own 270-space Fold Street car park.

The city's car parks and charges will face a "comprehensive" review later this year, the council added.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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