Reprieve for historic building
Historic buildings at a former Stourbridge hospital site are set to be protected for future generations with plans already being compiled by officials. Historic buildings at a former Stourbridge hospital site are set to be protected for future generations with plans already being compiled by officials. Dudley Council was overwhelmed by responses about Wordsley Hospital. People living in the area were asked to give their views on what buildings at the disused site should be saved. The land is to be cleared to make way for more than 300 new homes later this year, a move which first gave rise to fears that buildings dating back centuries could be lost. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
Dudley Council was overwhelmed by responses about Wordsley Hospital.
People living in the area were asked to give their views on what buildings at the disused site should be saved.
The land is to be cleared to make way for more than 300 new homes later this year, a move which first gave rise to fears that buildings dating back centuries could be lost.
But council bosses wan-ted to safeguard the buildings after the site was identified as having one of the best surviving early 20th century workhouses in the country.
Following the consultation, officers have been putting together a document, the Conservation Area Character Appraisal, which will suggest the best ways of protecting the buildings.
It will be presented to Dudley Council's development control committee on March 19, with officers asking for them to approve the measures contained within.
Dudley Council archaeologist Peter Boland said that the consultation had been an enormous success.
He said: "The full details of the consultation and what buildings will be protected cannot be revealed yet as members of the committee need to see them first,"
"However we are very pleased at the level of support received from residents to protect this site.
"It is obvious they do not want to see these historic buildings lost."
Councillor Malcolm Knowles, Dudley Council's cabinet member for regeneration, said: "The Wordsley Hospital site is a landmark in the area, and the council wants to ensure the site's future is protected."
The earliest buildings to occupy the site of Wordsley Hospital were constructed from the early 19th century onwards for the Stourbridge Poor Law Union Workhouse.
Of these, the Board Room, which was built in 1883-84, still survives on the Stream Road frontage of the site.
By 1901 the workhouse facilities were proving to be inadequate and, from 1902 to 1907, the complex was rebuilt.
