Homes and health complex for the elderly planned for Whitchurch
People are being offered a glimpse of plans for a major new development to provide housing and health services for the elderly.
Medical facilities and specialised housing could be built as part of the revamp of Pauls Moss in Whitchurch, those behind the project have revealed.
The scheme will be unveiled in public at a drop-in event in the next few weeks.
Wrekin Housing Trust has confirmed it is currently exploring the options regarding the potential redevelopment at Pauls Moss site.
The site currently has a mixture of flats and accommodation for elderly people which officials said is in desperate need of refurbishment. The plans for the site include an innovative scheme that would incorporate specialist living accommodation for older people, community space and modern healthcare services all on one site.
The drop-in event is being held at Whitchurch Civic Centre on November 10 between 11am and 7pm.
Phil Brenner gave a presentation at a meeting of Whitchurch Town Council last week, where he updated councillors on progress being made with the scheme.
Beverley Ashton, head of marketing and business research at the Wrekin Housing Trust, said: “At the meeting, Phil Brenner, on behalf of the partners, outlined the opportunity for a new joint health, wellbeing and housing facility in Whitchurch.
“Mr Brenner demonstrated that the innovative scheme could incorporate specialist living accommodation for older people, community space and modern health care services all on one site. The Wrekin Housing Trust has led the development of similar schemes at Northfield Village, Stafford, and Chasewood, Cannock, which have both provided brand new and much needed health and housing facilities fit for the future.
“One of the options being considered is the site at Pauls Moss in Whitchurch, where thetrust would work with partners and stakeholders including the Whitchurch GP practices, Shropshire CCG, Shropshire Council and others on this potential opportunity to deliver joined up services that would significantly benefit the whole community.”
She added: “The wider community will be able to find out more and give their ideas on the concepts at a drop-in engagement event to be held at the civic centre. This is in addition to the trust having ongoing one-to-one meetings with the existing residents of Pauls Moss to provide support and discuss rehousing preferences. Any proposals will of course be dependent on relevant planning permissions being obtained.”
It is not yet known if the plans would include a new ‘super’ GP surgery for the town.
A total of £1 million has already been raised for the surgery which will replace the temporary one operating from Beech Ward at Whitchurch Community Hospital which took on 4,000 patients from the Richmond House practice, which controversially closed last year.
The new super surgery would also see patients from the town’s two other surgeries – Dodington and Bridgwater – moved there.
