Aldi plans to create new supermarket on derelict Wolverhampton site
A long derelict site near Wolverhampton's historic Low Level Station is set to be transformed into a supermarket under fresh plans.
The land, sandwiched between the Royal Mail depot in Sun Street and flats in Broad Gauge Way, was intended to be part of a major regeneration project which included the Premier Inn, The Bluebrick pub and Grand Station conference centre.
When those plans were approved in 2006 the site was earmarked for a 23,000sq ft car showroom, but that part of the scheme never go off the ground and the site has remained derelict.
Now plans have emerged for an Aldi supermarket and will be approved or refused by Wolverhampton council in the coming weeks.
Planning documents submitted by Aldi, state: "Aldi present this retail development proposal as a considered response to the retail potential and constraints of the site.
"The new store will provide a good standard of access for all, and provide enhanced consumer choice in the area.
"We would suggest the proposals in this planning application will bring a much welcomed improvement and acceptable use to a neglected and run down urban site."
If approved the building will be set back from Wednesfield Road .
Aldi's original plan had been to place the store at the corner of Wednesfield Road and Sun Street but site investigations revealed a large drainage holding tank so the proposed store was moved away from the main road.
Parking for the supermarket, featuring 115 bays, would be where the site is closest to Wednesfield Road and Broad Gauge Way.
Work on the Low Level site £35 million redevelopment began in 2007
Most of the plans have long since come to fruition but the proposed car showroom never materialised.
The station, which stood on the Great Western rail network, closed to passenger services in 1964, 110 years after it was built. Its subsequent use as a parcels depot ended in 1981.
The site forms part of the wider Canalside Quarter that also includes the historic former Springfield Brewery, which is being redeveloped as a University of Wolverhampton campus.
In November last year council planners approved a new Aldi store on derelict land off a busy road in Willenhall. The discount supermarket will be constructed off The Keyway at its junction with New Street.
It will create 40 jobs and occupy a site where there was once two tower blocks but has since become overgrown.
The plan received unanimous approval from Wolverhampton Council’s planning committee.
