AN 'outstanding' mental health unit in Bromsgrove will not be sold to make way for housing.

Unused land adjacent to Keith Winter House in Catshill has been identified for future development - but Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust has reiterated that the mental health unit will not be affected.

A spokesman for the trust said: "All NHS organisations have been approached to identify surplus land opportunities to raise funds for re-investment in critical health care infrastructure and to assist with the supply of land to meet the overall housing targets.

"To this end we have identified land adjacent to Keith Winter House – not the facility. This land is currently not in use and is largely overgrown, and maybe suitable for housing development at some point in the future, although there are no plans at present for this.

"Recent press reports questioning the future of Keith Winter House have been wholly inaccurate and we would like to reassure the wider community that the trust has absolutely no plans to close or sell the unit and that it is a key part of local mental health services.

"It is also rated outstanding by the CQC which means Bromsgrove has one of the best mental health facilities of this type in the country which is something to be proud of."

Keith Winter House was given the highest possible rating from the CQC in June, after inspectors commended its 'kind and compassionate staff', strong leadership and supportive culture.

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust estimates that 10 homes could be built on the land off Keith Winter Close, but has not revealed the market value for the site.

NHS data revealed the trust has raised £693,000 from the sale of the Shrubbery Avenue Rehab Hostel in Worcester and All Saints' House – also known as Spadesbourne House – in Bromsgrove.

The Department of Health and Social Care has been tasked with selling off public land for more than 40,000 homes since 2011.