Former newspaper site earmarked for 145 houses

The Express and Star's former home on Queen Street in Wolverhampton

The former home of a regional newspaper has been identified as a potential site for 145 houses by Wolverhampton Council.

The Express and Star moved out of its premises in December, six months after the site was listed for sale with property company Knight Frank.

Stretching across Queen Street, Castle Street and Tower Street, the site comprises office space, the old press hall, and a multi-storey car park with 350 spaces.

Wolverhampton Council estimates the plot could be developed between 2031 and 2036.

The site had been home to the Express and Star since the 1880s

While 145 new homes have been floated, the authority has indicated in its plans that a "higher capacity" could be delivered.

The site is earmarked for residential properties in the council's Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment, a study which each local authority is required to produce, giving an overview of potential development sites within each authority's boundary.

The premises, which had been home to the Express and Star since the 1880s, is still on the market with Knight Frank.

The real estate agency describes the asset as: "Rare, substantial, city centre, mixed-use opportunity with [an] approximately 350-space multi-storey car park."

The Express and Star moved into its new offices in Mander House in December, vacating its long-standing home shortly after the title was sold to publisher National World.