Eyesore

The old Wolverhampton Eye Infirmary buildings are in a ruinous state. A splendid Victorian building it was built in 1888 and became an NHS hub for eye care in 1948. It has been an iconic landmark in the suburb of Chapel Ash for decades but sadly closed its doors in 2006.

As is the way with these things it fell victim to vandals, homeless and the elements. Broken windows, loose roof tiles, rotten timbers, it was in a slow decline that could only have one inevitable end.

Unless someone stepped in to save it.

Which they have!

BZ Property Holdings Ltd...in conjunction with Wolverhampton Borough Council and other partners have agreed a radical scheme of restoration and redevelopment.  One building has already been demolished, having been assessed as unsafe.

The other two buildings will be sympathetically restored and repurposed. The scheme will include modern housing and a school for special needs care in the community.

I am delighted. Our family have a long association with the building, it is where we all used to go for our eyecare  until it's function and services were transferred to New Cross Hospital  in Wednesfield.

So glad this important local landmark will remain largely as we remember.it and the history preserved for future generations.

I stopped on my way home from hospital this evening and got my blip, together with a view of the proposed new development.

#DS452