A city council has earmarked a former newspaper office left empty after staff moved out last month as a potential site for 145 new homes.

Staff at Wolverhampton daily the Express & Star moved out of their building at Castle Street in the city in early December.

Now the site, still owned by the paper’s former parent company the Claverley Group, has been identified for future housing development.

City of Wolverhampton Council planning documents show that the 0.53 hectare site is currently earmarked for 145 homes but that “higher capacity” could potentially be delivered.

The Express & Star, which was bought by National World last year, now has a new base at Mander House, an office development located above one of the city’s major shopping centres.

The building, pictured below, remains on the market with estate agent Knight Frank and is described as a “rare, substantial city centre mixed use opportunity with approximately 350 space multi-storey car park”.

It was highlighted as a potential investment opportunity in a prospectus published by the City of Wolverhampton Council last year.