Whitchurch health centre and housing plans lodged
Plans have been submitted for a long-awaited medical centre and housing development in Whitchurch.
The proposed Pauls Moss scheme will join two existing GP practices in a modern, purpose-built medical centre and offer combined housing and care services for over 55s.
Applicant Wrekin Housing Trust has revealed it will comprise 74 residential units, a health centre, pharmacy, central hub space of cafe and community rooms and 85 car parking spaces.
If planning permission is granted by Shropshire Council, the existing estate will be demolished.
A planning statement on behalf of Wrekin Housing Trust said: "The current scheme design proposes the demolition of the existing Paul’s Moss House and associated three storey supported living apartments which are no longer fit for purpose, in order to create a modern, energy efficient, new build scheme creating high quality retirement living accommodation, community facilities and state-of-the-art medical centre."
Need
It claims there is a growing need for extra care housing in Shropshire due to the growth in the elderly population.
The health centre which will be sited on the footprint of the former Pauls Moss house incorporates 21 consulting rooms and waiting areas. The pharmacy will be located in a prominent position to serve not only the patients of the new health centre but also the wider public.
The plans are being supported by Whitchurch Patients Group which says healthcare facilities and specialist housing is "much-needed" in the town.
However, a number of residents have lodged objections against the plans to demolish the Pauls Moss building – a large late-19th century house.
One objector, Adele Jackson said: "The new 'bespoke, modernistic, architect designed building' is ugly, uninspiring, unadventurous and certainly won't fit in with the current architecture within the conservation area. It is absolutely criminal to destroy such a beautiful, iconic building rather than restore and incorporate it into the new centre."
Others have suggested the building should form part of the plans.
The project is expected to take three years to complete and will be funded by Shropshire Council, The Wrekin Housing Trust, Homes England, NHS England, NHS Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group and the One Public Estate programme.
