Fresh plans for new Willenhall mental health unit
Fresh plans for a low-security mental health unit in a residential area of Willenhall have surfaced - months after the original scheme was withdrawn following mass objections.
Leaflets have been sent out to residents living close to the former Meadow House care home in Stroud Avenue asking for their views on the creation of a new residential facility at the site.
An application was submitted to Walsall Council in October last year, prompting a 1,300 name petition in opposition. More than 800 people also flocked to a public meeting to air their concerns about the scheme.
But the application, submitted BY site owners St Mary and St Michael's Medical Company based in Penn, was withdrawn in December.
Now letters have been sent to residents in nearby streets by agents Macclesfield-based Emery Planning Partnership. It is for a public consultation ahead of a fresh application being submitted.
Councillor Ian Shires, representative for Willenhall North, said the leaflet had asked residents to share their views with the planning agents by March 20.
"I would urge people to make their feelings known to the agents," he said. "It is important people have their say on this."
Consultation carried out by councillors for the area had previously found people wanted to see a medical centre built there.
The leaflet about the public consultation says: "We are aware of residents concerns raised in connection with a previous application for re-use of Meadow House but understand little information was submitted at that time.
It says the applicant wants to re-use the building as a "much needed" low-security mental health unit, which would bring as many as 30 jobs into the area. It would provide 24-hour supported living to 26 people.
Planning agents insisted it would be used only by people with low-level requirements and the owner would retain the right to decide who stays there. Residents would not be able to leave the building unaccompanied. A planning application is expected in the next few weeks.
People living in and around Stroud Avenue objected to the previous application saying it was in an inappropriate location and was too close to homes and schools.
