Sandwell Council is borrowing £5 million to facilitate investment in the one-acre brownfield site, next to Wednesbury Leisure Centre, creating five much-needed new council properties – four two-bedroom homes and one three-bedroomed home – plus a modern health centre for the Spires Health Centre and the district nurse service.

The health centre at King Street will replace the outdated Mesty Croft Clinic in Alma Street and the temporary building at Victoria Street currently used by Spires Health Centre.

The central location of the new King Street scheme will give Wednesbury residents easier access to health care and create further regeneration opportunities in the area as Spires Health Centre’s health facilities in Victoria Street can be re-developed once the new project is completed.

Sandwell Council and Black Country & West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group have worked together to resolve complex issues – such as land improvement and enabling works – to develop the scheme. The project was procured through the Constructing West Midlands framework. Land improvement work was grant funded by the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership with Homes England part-funding the project’s housebuilding costs.

The 25-year lease of the health centre will be taken on by the GP practice, enabling them to relocate from their current temporary site at Victoria Street.

Andrew Lawley, director of estates for Black Country & West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Black Country & West Birmingham CCG have worked in partnership with Sandwell Council to deliver a new, modern primary care facility for the wellbeing of the people of Wednesbury. The new building will provide improved accessibility and health care services for the community, patients, staff, visitors and Wednesbury.”

Councillor Iqbal Padda, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and growth, said: “The redevelopment of the King Street site demonstrates how the council, working with public sector partners, can deliver local investment that resolves long-standing site issues, and work towards providing much-needed high-quality housing and a brand new health centre. These will enable our residents to feel part of a connected community and the wider, revitalised, healthier Sandwell.”

Councillor Zahoor Ahmed, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “Sandwell Council’s active housing building programme is delivering new, quality, affordable homes – like these being developed in King Street – that meet our residents’ housing needs, so they feel warm, safe, secure and protected in their neighbourhoods. They will be close to key transport links, employment opportunities and vital health services.”

Des O’Neill, managing director of Interclass, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this important scheme which will result in a fantastic and modern facility for the residents of Wednesbury. Interclass has an extensive record of delivering healthcare facilities and we are especially pleased to further grow our relationship with Sandwell Council on this project.”

It is expected that the development will be completed during the first half of 2023.