Gallery: First look at homes vision for old Dudley hospital is revealed

This week, long-awaited plans have been unveiled to redevelop the former Guest Hospital in Dudley, creating 157 new homes.

Wates Living Space will keep some of the hospital buildings for apartments, but demolish the rest for a housing estate at the site off Tipton Road, under its proposal.

Out of the homes, which would be situated opposite the Black Country Living Museum, a total of 39 would be Dudley Council-owned properties. The rest would be privately sold.

On Tuesday, the first images of what the housing estate will look like were revealed at a public consultation held by the developer at the Dudley Archives and Local History Centre.

It comes ahead of a planning application to be submitted to Dudley Council.

But bosses at Wates Living Space have warned there could be a further delay before work starts due to mine shafts at the site. These have to be located and filled.

The scheme has already been hampered by delays. Seven years ago the hospital was taken off the hands of the NHS by the Homes and Communities Agency for homes. Four years ago Wates Living Space was appointed developer.

But mine shafts and limestone works have forced changes to the project.

The hospital closed more than a decade ago after most departments moved to Russells Hall Hospital. It was built by the Earl of Dudley in the 19th century for injured miners, before chainmaker Joseph Guest turned it into a hospital.

Among those to look at the plans on Tuesday were residents Joan Read, Odette Dwyer and Colin Jennings.

Dudley Council's housing chief Ron Simms said he was impressed by the plans.

"I think it is a tremendous scheme that will be of enormous value to Dudley," he said. "It will help us meet affordable housing needs in the borough. It is very much in line with government views on brownfield sites. By developing brownfield we are protecting green belt and that has got to be good for everybody.

"There is still quite a lot of green space (in the plans). You might say around a third of it is green space."

A large mound has had to be incorporated into the plans to block out noise from the development site to neighbouring homes.

The company initially wanted to build more homes at the site, but said they were unlikely to get the backing of planning chiefs without a 'noise bund' – a barrier to block out things like traffic noise.

The developer says the proposal will retain and refurbish elements of the Victorian hospital, including the former porter's lodge and administration building.

Andy Doylend, partnership housing director at Wates Living Space, said the planning application would be submitted next week. He added: "Our application is a huge step forward in this much anticipated development and one which we were keen to showcase to the public."

They say once the homes are built, the grassed area would provide people with an area to walk their dogs. It is hoped work will start this year.