Wolverhampton Council gives go ahead to £45 million Northern Gateway project
Property developer and regeneration specialist, the Pritchard Group has been given the green light to build an iconic £45 million hotel and cutting edge, ‘Employment and Innovation’ centre on the Stafford Road in Wolverhampton. The 12 acre Citygate Plaza scheme near junction 2 of the M54 will bring an anticipated 500 jobs to the area and create an impressive addition to the city’s northern gateway.
Designed to create a bold visual statement, the 60-bed Travelodge hotel complex, restaurant and office space will comprise a landmark nine storey tower fronting the Stafford Road. This will be coupled with a modern three storey building complete with an innovative ‘wave-form’ roof running into the site.
Situated to the rear of the site, will be a 210,000 sq ft business hub. Housing incubation and grow-on space, the facility will provide a springboard for entrepreneurs and provide a welcome boost to the local economy.
Celebrating the approval, Fred Pritchard, chief executive of Cannock-based Pritchard Group, said: “We are delighted to be able to move forward and deliver this scheme which will transform the northern approach to the city. It will be a powerful landmark that tells visitors Wolverhampton means business.
“There is huge demand for more hotel accommodation in the area and, as it will be an ideal place for business people to meet in a central location, our scheme will also attract day visitors to the locality.
“The next steps now are to get on site and deliver the proposals. We hope to start in the spring with a view to completing by 2011.”
Wolverhampton Development Company (WDC) has worked closely with Pritchard Group and the Council to ensure Citygate Plaza supports the city’s growth plans. In response to the planning approval, Stephen Catchpole, chief executive of WDC, said: “We have an ambitious vision for Wolverhampton and developers like Pritchard Group are helping us to make it a reality. We want the Stafford Road to become a thriving employment and living corridor into the city and CityGate Plaza is key to achieving this.”
Steve Boyes, Director of Sustainable Communities, Wolverhampton City Council, added: “We are committed to the ongoing growth and development of Wolverhampton and Citygate Plaza is another example of this. We will soon have a skyline full of cranes marking the city’s transformation.”