Lidl resubmits plans to knock down former hotel

Supermarket giant Lidl has resubmitted plans to demolish a 19th Century hotel in Wolverhampton to make way for a new store.

Previous plans for the former Goldthorn Hotel were narrowly approved more than three years ago, but permission to carry out the work lapsed earlier this year after the project failed to get off the ground.

At the time, the proposals attracted 73 objections, and a 105-signature petition against the plans.

There was also a formal objection from the Victorian Society stating said the hotel was "one of the last references to the historic streetscape" in that area of Wolverhampton.

Three months ago, the supermarket chain said it had faced delays and had run into problems buying the land after receiving planning permission in 2023.

In backing Lidl's original application, planners said at the time it would create "significant investment and new jobs".

"Whilst there would be some impact on visual amenity and the loss of a heritage asset, the proposals would result in a good quality scheme which would not result in any highway concerns and are therefore considered appropriate," officers said.

However objectors bemoaned the potential loss of a landmark building and said the new supermarket would be built next to an accident black spot.

The hotel, later known as the the Quality Hotel, was built as a home in the late 19th Century for John Rollings, director of Star Cycles, Cars and Commercial Vehicles, a firm which played an important part in Wolverhampton's early motor industry.

In their judgement, council's planners said while the main building had some merit as a building of historic and architectural interest, extensions and additions have "somewhat subsumed the main building and much of its architectural character has been harmed or lost."

The new plans submitted by Lidl are very similar to those approved in 2023.

The firm said the 2,000 sqm supermarket would create 40 full-time jobs and would be built alongside a 93-bay car park.

Building work is also under way on another Lidl store in nearby Parkfield Road on the site of a former abattoir and meat wholesalers.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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