New vision for former Wednesbury health centre follows backlash against 38-bed HMO proposal

The former Mesty Croft Clinic in Alma Street, Wednesbury, is slated to be transformed into ten residential flats after the initial proposal to create a 38-bed house of multiple occupation (HMO) was abandoned in early 2024 amid widespread objections.

This single-storey building ceased operating as a health centre at the end of 2023, when healthcare services relocated to the new £5 million Richard Nugent Centre located a mile away in Wednesbury town centre. Following its closure, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust sold the property, deeming it “surplus to requirements.”

Developers had originally intended to extend and convert the former clinic into shared accommodation with communal facilities. However, the plan sparked considerable criticism, notably from Antonia Bance, the Labour MP for Tipton and Wednesbury. She voiced concerns that such a large concentration of HMO-style housing could lead to management challenges and increase anti-social behaviour, especially given the site’s proximity to a primary school.

Bance stated, “I do not believe that concentrating one type of accommodation of this sort in such numbers is conducive to community safety. An HMO development of this size is extraordinary and will be incredibly hard to manage sustainably and effectively.”

She added that while the application suggested demand from students, young professionals, and young working couples, it was unlikely the development would serve these groups. Instead, she warned the accommodation might primarily house individuals who face multiple disadvantages.

In response to the objections, including those from local residents and community leaders, the developers withdrew the HMO application. The new proposal now envisions converting the site into ten individual flats, aiming to provide more balanced and manageable housing solutions that better align with community needs and concerns.