Empty office to be turned into new flats

OFFICES which have lain empty in Walsall town centre will be converted into flats after attempts to attract new business failed.

Walsall Council planners gave the green light to developer

Kalam Family Property Investments to convert the premises on Lichfield Street into three new apartments.

In a separate application, the authority’s planning department also approved a proposal by Sarbjit Bilkhu to turn offices on Navigation Street into four onebedroom flats.

Prior to lockdown, Walsall Council drew up a Master

Plan for the town centre and bosses said the area would see more residential use due to the changing face of high streets in recent years.

In the Lichfield Street application, agents Lapworth Architects said: “The site has been marketed for a long period of time and very little interest has been shown in renting an office of this size and within this location.”