Plans for foundry to become big GP surgery

A historic former foundry in Stourbridge is set to become one of the biggest GP surgeries in the UK under new plans for the dilapidated site.

Quadrant Land Partnership (QLP) has submitted an application for permission to transform the former Foster and Rastrick Foundry in Lowndes Road into a 30,000 sq ft healthcare centre.

The scheme has been created in partnership with the town's Worcester Street Surgery, which has been looking to expand for many years. If approved, more than 20 GPs will be based at the surgery which will offer a full range of services, including the treatment of serious illnesses.

The application has already been submitted to conservation officials at Dudley Council and English Heritage for approval before it is considered by the council's development control committee.

A decision is expected to be made in October.

If successful, the surgery would be called The Lion Medical Centre in recognition of the site's unique heritage - the building was used to develop and construct the Stourbridge Lion, the first locomotive to cross America from East to West Coasts.

Worcester Street Surgery spokesman Dr Steve Mann said he was delighted to have finally found a solution.