A leading conservation group is calling for an historic listed building, wrecked by fire, to be saved from demolition.

The Victorian Society has written to transport authority Centro about its plans to pull down the Old Steam Mill, on Corn Hill, Wolverhampton.

The building is set to make way for the extension to the Midlands Metro through Wolverhampton City Centre.

Centro
is consulting over the £15 million scheme which will extend the Metro line past the bus station to Wolverhampton Railway Station to create direct public transport links.

But the Old Steam Mill, listed by English Heritage in 1991, stands in the way.

The
building, constructed in the 1850s by engineering firm William Fairbairn and Sons of Manchester, was damaged in a fire six years ago.

Tim
Bridges, of the Victorian Society, said that they are not opposed to the Metro extension, but believe the design could be adapted to preserve
the Mill.

He said: “In our opinion, the imposing listed Steam Mill building still makes a positive contribution to the character of the Wolverhampton conservation area and
is an important Victorian industrial building.

“The
Old Steam Mill should be retained, restored and sympathetically adapted
to a new use as part of the regeneration of this conservation area”

The canalside Mill replaced an earlier version destroyed by fire in 1851.

Wolverhampton
City Council and Centro believe that the Metro extension is vital for the future regeneration of the city and are consulting over the plans until tomorrow (Friday).

City
regeneration chief, Coun Peter Bilson, said: “We are working closely with Centro and partners to deliver a complete 21st century bus, rail and tram interchange which will see the redevelopment of the railway station and multi-storey car park as well as the Midland Metro extension.”

Once finalised it is hoped construction on the extension can begin in 2015.