Health centre plan for boarded-up pub

A derelict pub that has blighted a main route into Wolverhampton for years is to be transformed into a new health centre, including a pharmacy and opticians, after the development plans were recommended for approval.

The landmark former Halfway House building, Tettenhall Road, has stood empty since March 2008 but developers hope to transform the ageing pub into a one-stop health centre.The plans, which have been recommended for approval, will go before the city council next week.

Councillor Alan David Bolshaw, who used to be chairman of the Park Ward Labour Party, today threw his support behind the plans.

He said: "This was first mentioned when I was chairman about two or three years ago.

"We have got to welcome these plans with open arms.

"For too long the Halfway House, which is a magnificent old building, has been empty. It is a landmark building and on a main road into the city.

"A new doctor's surgery will improve health facilities for residents of this area."

Work to create the 5,080 sq ft surgery, pharmacy and opticians is expected to get under way within weeks if the plans are approved as expected.

Under the plans, Dr Simon Taylor's surgery at 80 Tettenhall Road would move to the Halfway House. The practice serves patients in Whitmore Reans, Fordhouses, Stafford Road, West Park, Tettenhall, Finchfield, and Compton.

Wolverhampton PCT has given its backing to the idea. The car parking at Dr Taylor's current surgery is no longer considered adequate.

Halfway House, which was owned by Enterprise Inns, closed in 2008 following complaints about noise. A planning statement which was submitted alongside the application states: "The proposed development would enable the refurbishment of an historically important building and provision of a modern medical facility."

A final decision on the proposals will be made by members on the city council's planning committee next Tuesday.