Hospital chiefs ask for £2m over new homes plan

Residents Ollie and Sophie Swain, Peter Smith, Andrea Beech and Robert Watkins are concerned about the impact of housing plans

Hospital bosses are warning a major development will result in NHS services getting worse unless they get £2m pounds from a developer.

Taylor Wimpey wants to build almost 1,500 homes off Comberton Road in Kidderminster, known as the Woven Oaks development.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust says its hospital capacities are "already maximised" and "will not be able to absorb" an increased demand for care caused by the new residents.

However, Wyre Forest District Council says there is no prospect of securing the cash, as it would not be financially viable for the developer.

Taylor Wimpey said it had already contributed millions to local services and contributions were determined by the council.

Under planning rules, local authorities can secure money from a developer in return for allowing planning permission, known as a Section 106 request.

• Listen on BBC Sounds: Residents urge Woven Oaks rethink

The Woven Oaks development already has outline planning permission, but has yet to be fully signed off.

The acute trust submitted the request in August, in a 35-page document which lays bare the serious problems hospital bosses face.

Worcestershire Royal Hospital is one of the sites run by the trust

The bid says "any increase in demand" from the new development would "put significant stress on acute hospital services" already "at capacity".

It also states a lack of funding would result in "patient harm" for new residents arriving at Woven Oaks, and those already living in Worcestershire.

The letter cites "increased waiting times, delays in appointment availability and delayed delivery of care" as some of the risks associated with the development.

The trust originally submitted a bid for £1m in Section 106 cash from the developers in 2023, but has now increased it after reassessing the demand on services.

'A terrible situation'

Residents who live near the development site have expressed deep concerns over its impact on healthcare.

"It's very worrying," said Robert Watkins, a neighbour. "I'm 80 — NHS services are really important me, and there's lots of people around here in the same situation.

"They (the council) need to push the developer again. The consequences of not getting the money would be devastating."

Ollie Swain, who also lives nearby, said: "Everyone needs good healthcare — for me it's top of the list of priorities for what people expect.

"We can see that hospital services are under huge pressure even now - it's a terrible situation."

'A clear housing need'

A spokesperson for the hospital trust has told the BBC they consider Woven Oaks "a significant development", and the money could help fund emergency care and diagnostic equipment like CT scanners.

But the council says the scheme would "not have been viable" if they compelled the developer to hand over the cash.

A spokesperson said: "There is a clear need for the housing being provided at this site - and it has had to be accepted that, for development to proceed, not all contributions could be required."

They added the NHS had been consulted when the site was identified in the local plan, but not made any comment at the time.

The planning application is recommended for approval, with the council awaiting the completion of the section 106 agreement.

"The section 106 agreement will not be revisited," the spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for Taylor Wimpey said it would be allocating more than £26m to "local services and infrastructure", such as road improvements and school facilities, as part of the development.

"Whilst we understand the concerns of the NHS trust, these contributions are set out by Wyre Forest District Council rather than Taylor Wimpey," they added.