Health centre and flats plan for run-down site
Plans to demolish a council-owned former training centre in Wolverhampton in order to build a new health centre and residential block are to be discussed by city council bosses next week.
The vacant Oxley Moor House and Training Centre in Probert Road, Oxley, has not been in use for some time.
The buildings have now fallen into disrepair and are no longer considered fit for purpose, the local authority decided last year.
Outline planning permission is now being sought for a two-storey health and wellbeing facility on the site, alongside a three-storey block consisting of 20 one-bedroom and three two-bedroom residential apartments.
In a report to council chiefs, senior planning officer Vijay Kaul said: “Following ongoing anti-social behaviour, the council has had to secure the site and provide short-term security measures. Access is via Probert Road, off Oxley Moor Road, and the route runs around the existing building to Cedar Grange care home.
“The new health centre will have GP services, council-led health services, community spaces and a pharmacy on the ground floor, with community nursing, family services, meeting rooms and a staff area above.
"In terms of employees, there will be 18 clinical staff, 20 support workers and an estimated patient turnaround time of 20 minutes. A total of 65 parking spaces have been planned for the health centre with 20 for the residential development.”
Planners have also received written representations on the matter from Oxley councillors Adam Collinge and Susan Roberts.
Councillor Collinge said: “I have been campaigning for this for some considerable time, and am very supportive of the redevelopment of the site as it will address fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour. However, I believe a degree of flexibility should be retained in relation to the health centre.
“Issues that I think need to be taken into consideration include managing the traffic and problem speeding on Probert Road, and also ensuring that there is sufficient parking for residential use.”
In her correspondence, Councillor Roberts added: “I am in favour of these proposals and have been involved in the plans since before the Covid-19 pandemic. The site has caused several major issues in recent years. However, I understand that once it has been cleared there will be further consultations with local residents.”
The report added: “The residential building will be delivered in partnership with a chosen housing asociation under the council’s ‘self and custom build scheme’ – where an individual builds their own home or contracts a builder to create a ‘custom built’ residence for them.
“Relocation of the GP services within the existing Probert Road surgery and GP services on Stafford Road will serve the community in a new holistic health and wellbeing facility, where the public can access all services in one place.”
The council’s planning committee is recommended to grant the application subject to agreement and conditions at its meeting next Tuesday.
