Apartment plan for former hospital admin building

HOUSING developer Persimmon is planning to convert the former admin block of a Birmingham hospital into new residential scheme.

The company has applied for planning permission to convert the former admin block and infirmary entrance at Selly Oak Hospital into 11 apartments.

In a separate application, the firm has lodged plans to convert the hospital’s listed water tower (pictured below) into six new apartments.

The plans form part of a wider scheme for the redevelopment of the entire hospital site.

The plans for the admin block would see a mixture of one and two bedroom apartments, together with associated parking facilities and landscaping.

A design statement submitted by the housebuilder in support of the application states: “This document conveys how the comprehensive consideration of the site and the surrounding area have informed a design that would be appropriate and sympathetic to the existing environment and that would enhance the character of the site and its surroundings.”

In 2012, The University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust applied for outline planning permission for the residential redevelopment of the former Selly Oak Hospital. It was believed the site could be capable of sustaining a development of around 650 homes.

The whole site is being redeveloped by Permission with the first and second phases already under construction, while a Reserved Matters Application for Phase 3 of the scheme was recently submitted to the council.

The application for the Admin Block/ Infirmary Entrance forms part of Phase 4 of the overall scheme.

The three storey admin block is built of red brick and its façade is designed much like a large domestic Victorian villa. The building formed the original central entrance to the infirmary and was attached to outlying wings by link buildings.
 
The south (main) elevation has three gables, the central gable is set back and forms a balcony to a second floor room. Central to this elevation is the original formal entrance to the infirmary, which is decorative, featuring carved stone pilasters and moulded terracotta detailing. A stone plaque is mounted on the wall next to the entrance commemorating the opening of the infirmary designed by Daniel Arkell in 1895.

The water tower at Selly Oak HospitalThe building is said to have intrinsic architectural merit. It is also important historically for the role it played in the social fabric of the area

“As the formal entrance to the infirmary many local people have passed through its doors (every) day for well over 100 years. As such the building acts as a focal point in the ‘sense of place’ surrounding the Infirmary as a whole,” states the brief.

The Victorian façade, while not listed, is considered the only significant surviving element of the building, which has otherwise become enveloped by modern additions. As such the plan is to retain the structure to form a focal point or gateway to the new development.

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