MORE than 30 apartments are set to be built in Dudley town centre as part of efforts to improve a key gateway into the town.

Plans to build five two-bedroom flats by extending the upper floor of Trident House, on Wolverhampton Street, have been approved by Dudley Council planning officers under delegated powers.

The scheme will also include work to improve the entrance of the Tridentrit Centre below for shoppers.

It comes after plans to build 29 further apartments by converting office space above the shopping centre were approved by officers in February this year.

The development ties in with continued plans to improve Wolverhampton Street, which is considered a key gateway into Dudley town centre.

Councillor Ian Kettle, Dudley Council's cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said: "This development will significantly improve the appearance of the Wolverhampton Street side of the Trident Centre, while providing much-needed new accommodation in the town.

"It ties in with our wider plans to regenerate Wolverhampton Street, a key gateway into the town centre.

"With plenty of other schemes going on in Dudley town centre, including the redevelopment of Cavendish House and the new Metro line, it will redefine the town for a generation."