New Walsall care home could bring 50 jobs

The former Meadow House in Short Heath, Willenhall has been derelict for a number of years and a target for vandalism and squatters.

Under the proposals it will be demolished and the new facility catering for 72 residents would be built alongside six new homes.

It comes after controversial plans to build a mental health facility at the site, which surfaced more than two years ago, were withdrawn following widespread objection from more than 1,000 residents.

The new three-storey nursing home in Stroud Avenue would be U-shaped and the semi-detached homes would be built nearby.

The plans have been lodged with Walsall Council by Birmingham-based MACC Care Limited, which already operates four nursing homes.

A report, lodged with the plans, said that the company wants to provide 'high quality nursing facilities' which exceed the minimum standards applied by the Department of Health, social services and public safety.

It said: "A nursing home with 72 bedrooms, apart from fulfilling a need, will be a significant employer with approximately 50 full and part-time employees.

"In addition the home will require servicing by a number of support businesses and suppliers.

"As well as employing skilled healthcare professionals and facilities staff, the home would be an investor in people providing skills training and development for the various employees.

"Inherent with these aspirations would be the provision of a high quality external environment.

"MACC Care's proposals would involve not only improving on the existing building but also in providing exceedingly high quality soft and hard landscaping around the building."

It adds: "To give the best environment for their residents MACC Care's philosophy is to provide pleasant day rooms with different scales, characters and aspects due to their position on the site, outlooks and orientation in respect of daylight."

There will be 23 car parking spaces, a dedicated ambulance parking bay and also a separate unloading bay for deliveries.

A planning application to create a mental health facility by Wolverhampton-based St Mary and St Michael's Medical Company, which was submitted in 2012, was withdrawn after a protest petition gathered more than 1,300 names and more than 800 people flocked to a public meeting to air their concerns about the scheme.

The withdrawn plans had been to convert the care home and add a new gym, along with a new entrance and ambulance space.

Campaigners said it was not an appropriate development in a densely-populated residential area.