Midland Metropolitan Hospital homes masterplan moves closer
A plan to transform a run-down area near the new Midland Metropolitan Hospital has taken a step forward.
Regeneration bosses want to take advantage of the hospital build by redeveloping the wider area, including 150 new homes, shops and a large car park.
The green light will then pave the way for the regeneration of a large area on the Black Country and Birmingham border.
Toby Lewis, chief executive of the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, which will run Midland Met, revealed a "series of masterplan options" had been developed and that the trust would work with Sandwell and Birmingham councils "to develop a thriving commercial and residential district around the site".
Plans released earlier this year included 159 one and two-bedroom apartments on land off London Street and a 1,900-space car park next to the hospital.
Planning chiefs say the brownfield land has been identified as an ideal location for regeneration to complement the hospital.
It comes as trust bosses continue to wait for Government approval for work on the hospital itself to resume. The hospital is no closer to completion than when Carillion collapsed in January 2018.
The trust boss says he is hopeful the long-awaited go-ahead from the Government to get work started again on the £475m hospital will come by the end of October, having previously stated it was needed by the end of August.
If the green light does come it should allow enough time for new contractor Balfour Beatty to begin work before the end of the year.
And in his latest report to board members, he added: "Work continues with Balfour Beatty to be ready to restart work on the Midland Metropolitan Hospital in December 2019. This timetable will allow us access to develop the building in early 2022 and the chance to open before summer 2022 and Birmingham 22, the Commonwealth Games."
