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Bold plans have been put forward to transform an eyesore Willenhall building into a 12-bed House of Multiple Occupation and a multi-use community hall. The building, known locally as Chamberlains, has fallen into dilapidation over time with half of the property completely destroyed by fire in 2021.
The plans to transform the Upper Lichfield Street site have been put forward by New Testament Church of God which is located three doors away on the same street. The church hopes to convert the front half of the property into a 12-bed HMO, spread across two storeys. Each tenant will have their own en-suite and will share two kitchens between them.
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(Image: West Midlands Fire Service)
For the rear half, which is currently a shell of four walls with no roof due to the 2021 fire, the church hopes to convert this into a space for community events with catering and toilet facilities. If the plans are approved, the church will reinstate the roof making the rear half a two-storey building.
The 528 square metre site is located within the Willenhall Conservation Area. The rear of the building, the Chamberlain Unionist Club, dates to the mid 19th century and is locally listed. The more modern building at the front was likely built by around 1970 but the exact date is uncertain.
The property was last used as an entertainment venue for laser quest. Since the business closed down in 2016, the whole site has remained vacant.
The proposed access to the rear community events space is from Angel Passage, the pedestrian walkway linking Morrison’s car park to Willenhall’s Market Place. Access to the proposed HMO at the front of the site will be from Upper Lichfield Street. No parking facilities are available within the plans.
