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Plans have been submitted to convert Kingston House, a former NHS office building on West Bromwich High Street, into 128 co-living units. Developer TheStudios has proposed redeveloping the 43,000 sq ft building into modern shared accommodation.
The plans include 128 private studios, each with en-suite facilities, arranged into 22 clusters of six, sharing communal kitchens. The ground floor would feature amenities such as a gym, cinema room, outdoor terrace, laundry facilities, workspaces, and a lounge.
In planning documents, TheStudios stated: “We aim to replicate the success of this model by introducing affordable and luxury co-living spaces to West Bromwich High Street. This proposal will inject significant private investment into the area, revitalizing disused office spaces as accessible accommodation.”
The developer emphasized its commitment to supporting local businesses and boosting the town’s economy, noting the project would increase footfall and spending, contributing to West Bromwich’s wider regeneration efforts.
The plans include a reduction in car parking spaces from 95 to 56, alongside the addition of 38 cycle spaces.
However, West Midlands Police has raised concerns about the scheme, citing the reduced parking provision. They warned that once spaces are full, vehicles would be forced to park in nearby areas without adequate surveillance. “This area already experiences vehicle crime rates twice the national average, and the development could exacerbate the problem,” they said.
The police also criticized the lack of proposed security measures such as CCTV in the plans.