New health centre set for derelict Great Barr land

The new centre, which would include a doctors’ surgery and a pharmacy, is proposed for the site of the former Queslade House in Queslade Close.

A consortium of doctors has asked to buy the derelict land from the council and develop as a health facility for the community.

Councillors were today considering the proposals to sell the site for development at Sandwell Council’s land and asset management committee.

If the proposal to sell the land will go to the council’s cabinet for approval on October 18.

The doctors would then need to agree contracts with the council and secure planning permission to build the health centre.

Councillor Paul Moore, the council’s cabinet member for regeneration and economic investment, said: "There is very clearly a need for a new health centre in this area of Great Barr.

"I am pleased that the council has successfully reached an agreement in principle, subject to formal approval, after many months of work with the NHS and the consortium of doctors from three GP surgeries.

"This exciting development proposal will enhance the health provision in the north of the borough and bring back into economic use a council-owned site that is currently vacant.

"The proposed development would also provide job opportunities for local people and improve the health of local residents by having much enhanced modern medical facilities in the area."

Andrew Lawley, head of premises and capital development, Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG are very pleased that several months of joint working between the three parties is making real progress.

"The CCG granted approval to the group of GPs to proceed with the scheme in March this year enabling them to work with the council to secure appropriate land. Delivery of this exciting project will provide a critical element of the CCG's Estate Strategy and help to support improved health care services for the population of Great Barr."

It comes as the Express & Star revealed via a Freedom of Information request that more than £27 million has been raked in from selling off 600 plots of council land.

Sandwell Council has sold off more than three times as much land as neighbouring Black Country authorities combined in the past five years.