Stourbridge MP's concern about state of historic gatehouse left to rot for more than 20 years

Dudley Council said it had taken action against the owner of Corbett Lodge and Gatehouse in Amblecote, which used to serve as the entrance to Corbett Hospital. 

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Stourbridge MP Cat Eccles has voiced concerns about the state of one of the building, which has been empty for more than 20 years.

The building has fallen into a state of dereliction since the NHS moved out of the building in 2005.

Miss Eccles written to Dudley Council calling for legal  action to be taken against the owner of the building if repairs are not forthcoming.

But Councillor Phil Atkins, cabinet member for development and regulation, said notice had already been served on the owner of the building, and some work had now begun.

He said: “Corbett Lodge is very much on our radar, being a 19th century, locally listed building held in affection by many of our residents and by the local friends group.

“There is a live enforcement case dealing with the building which is clearly in a deteriorating condition and a matter of considerable concern."

Councillor Atkins said the council had written and spoken to the owner, ordering a number of works to be carried out, including the removal of ivy and vegetation, re-glazing all broken windows, securing of the site and undertaking a number of repairs to the historic fabric of the building. 

“The owner has made a start to progress these works and we will be checking that these meet the required standard," he said.

The neo-Tudor style building was where patients would originally have had to show their tickets to demonstrate they were eligible for treatment in the early days of the hospital. It also served as a lodge for hospital porters.

Corbett Hospital was founded by Brierley Hill born 'salt king' John Corbett, who bought the run down Hill House in Amblecote High Street in 1891, and converted into a hospital for the people of the area.

Miss Eccles said: "Corbett Lodge and Gatehouse is in a sorry state. Despite calls from the Amblecote History Society and other campaigners to preserve it, it has fallen further into disrepair.

"It sits on a main route into Stourbridge and not only looks unattractive, but further deterioration is happening the longer it is left."

The building was surplus to requirements by Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust following a shake-up of hospital services in 2005, which saw all in-patient services transferred to Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley.

It was sold at auction in 2017, but Miss Eccles said despite a planning application to restore the building being submitted in 2022, no work had taken place.

Councillor Atkins said the council had also offered advice to the owner on the lapsed planning application should it wish to take this or any other proposal forward.