A FORMER doctors surgery in Stourbridge looks set to be converted into apartments, after plans were given the go-ahead.

The former Worcester Street GP surgery on the corner of Hill Street will be converted into seven apartments.

A proposal to Dudley Council to convert the derelict Edwardian building into five two-bedroom and two one-bedroom flats, from Hagley based Ranco estates, has been given the thumbs up.

A previous application for nine apartments had been withdrawn.

A report by council planners notes: "The site lies within an Area of High Historic Townscape Value and the historic part of the building is identified as a providing a high positive contribution to the area."

It goes on: "The development would provide new housing to help meet the boroughs demand for new homes, and the proposed type and tenure’ layout and design are appropriate for the area and can be accommodated without any significant adverse impact on existing residents, or the local highway network.

"The proposals would provide a good quality development, which is considered would make a positive contribution to the area and which constitutes sustainable development."

One letter of objection had been received from a resident of Hill Street to the plan for seven apartments with concerns over an increase in traffic and inadequate parking for a possible 14 additional cars.

A design and access statement states: "Originally built as a large Edwardian dwelling house the building functioned until 2014 as a doctor’s surgery and planning was approved for conversion to a block of offices on 29th May 2015.

"However, the building was never converted to offices and has remained empty since 2014."

 

The building has been extended to the rear, with the extension dating from the early 1990s.

There is a car parking area at the rear which is accessed from Hill Street. Plans show ten car parking spaces for the apartments.

The design and access statement states: "It is not proposed to change the external appearance of the building with the exception of the following minor alterations: the removal of the steel fire escape staircase and the front entrance porch, brick infill to x3 windows and x2 doors, the removal of a/c units and the creation of two new entrance doors (with canopies over) along the Hill street elevation."

The doctors surgery closed and rebranded as Lion Health following the conversion of the old Stourbridge Lion factory into a new super surgery in Lowndes Road.

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Pic: Design by NCR Architectural Design and Town Planning