Revised plans submitted for former Beatties store

A revised application was needed as "the currently consented scheme is financially unviable", Eden Property said

The new owner of the former Beatties department store in Wolverhampton has submitted revised plans to redevelop the site.

The building in Victoria Street was sold to the Eden Property Group for £6.15m in February after the previous owner was placed into receivership.

Plans to create 300 houses or flats along with other facilities remain, but a revised application was needed as "the currently consented scheme is financially unviable", Eden Property said.

Revisions include reinstating historic features and a former arcade with access to a courtyard with external seating.

The overall height of the proposed redevelopment would be reduced from up to seven storeys to six with commercial space being broken up into smaller units to increase letting opportunities and encourage a cafe culture along Victoria Street, developers said.

In its application, Eden Property said it wanted to move forward quickly to secure and protect the 100-year-old building.

"We have retained the residential unit numbers and commercial area... whilst introducing enhanced public realm offerings and commercial activation along Victoria Street," it said.

"We recognise the strong local significance the Beattie's building has and want to ensure a positive reintroduction to the streetscape soonest to avoid any decline and instead ensure the redevelopment can pact as a catalyst for wider regeneration in Wolverhampton."