Questions as NHS trust distances itself from letter supporting hostel plan

Midshire Supporting Housing Trust wants to turn Orchard Manor on Slaney Road, Walsall, into a 37-bed hostel and has lodged plans with the borough council.

But the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has distanced itself from a letter sent in its name in support of Midshire and the application.

The trust said it "does not support the views expressed within this letter" and has launched an investigation into how it came to be involved in the scheme.

The letter carried the NHS trust's heading and is signed off by a member of 'radiology and HR'. The trust said it was not clear whether the letter had been sent in error.

The scheme has proved controversial locally and attracted dozens of objections. MP Valerie Vaz was also opposed to an earlier application over concerns the hostel would bring a large number of ex-offenders to the area.

An initial application was withdrawn last year before the current one was submitted in May, with a change from 41 to 37 beds.

The document purportedly sent by the trust described Midshire in glowing terms, saying the team is "very accommodating to its residents and focus a lot on the wellbeing of their occupants".

Midshire was also labelled "a well-established organisation" which had "proven to the NHS on many occasions that they are a key foundation to the community with the support they provide".

A trust spokesman said: “We can confirm that the views expressed within this letter are not those of the trust. Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust does not support the views expressed within this letter."

Walsall Council said it did not comment on individual elements of planning applications.

But deputy leader Adrian Andrew said: “We can confirm that the council has received a planning application for a former nursing home with a view to it being developed into a multiple occupancy property.”

“A planning application was submitted May 20, 2020. Therefore with due process and in line with all planning requests received the council has consulted with neighbours and residents living near to the property.

"The local planning authority will also consider all formal correspondence received in relation to this planning application before any decisions can be made.”

No-one at Midshire was available for comment.