Kidderminster health centre set for go-ahead

A medical centre, pharmacy and three sprawling car parks will rise from the rubble of five buildings at Kidderminster Hospital, transforming part of the site.

The 100,000sq ft scheme on the southern edge of the hospital site is expected to be approved by Wyre Forest District Council next week after officers recommended the go-ahead for the project.

Two GP surgeries, Aylmer Lodge and Northumberland House, would move to the new primary care centre under the plan as both have outgrown their present premises.

The nine-storey Brook House, once used as nurses' accommodation but now vacant, will be torn down along with the disused pathology and haematology department buildings.

The mortuary, hospital radio building, oxygen store and two semi-detached houses fronting Hume Street will also be demolished to make way for the new centre.

The new medical centre would be built on the site presently occupied by the mortuary with a three-storey 132 bay car park for patients, staff and visitors created at the front.

Two further car parks, one to the rear of the medical centre and another to the west of the site, would also be built for use by staff and patients of Worcestershire Acute Trust. In total 339 parking spaces would be created.

Residents living in Hume Street have objected to the scheme saying it will lead to traffic problems in the area. They say the proposed parking provision for patients is insufficient to accommodate the number of people visiting the new centre.

However, case officer Emma Anning said: "The impacts on the roads have been carefully assessed and it is considered the development would not give rise to a situation which would be detrimental to highway safety."

The proposal will be discussed by members of Wyre Forest District Council's planning committee next Tuesday.

By Lee Watton