Doctor hopes to turn building into NHS staff homes

Hatherton House was once a nursery and its final use was as offices for a company

Plans to change a building into a house of multiple occupation have been submitted by a senior doctor, who hopes to convert it into "quality accommodation for NHS staff".

Seventeen bedrooms have been proposed for the 19th-Century structure Hatherton House in Walsall, which was once a nursery.

Sue Boden, who works at the Walsall NHS trust but is applying in a personal capacity, said that high-quality accommodation was "lacking in the area".

The building on Hatherton Street is within the Lichfield Street Conservation Area and went up for sale early last year inviting offers of about £495,000.

The latest plan involves 17 bedrooms, six of which have en-suites and the other 11 shared toilet and washing facilities.

Both floors have a shared kitchen and 14 car parking spaces are available on the site.

The building had large polka dots from about 2013, before being returned to a classic white facade in 2018.

Its most recent use was as offices for the company Skills Training UK.

The applicant said the external fabric of the building would be kept, with only minor, reversible alterations made.

Agent En-plan stated: "The works will have a positive impact upon the character and setting of the heritage asset by bringing the building back into use and stopping the further erosion of the building by lack of maintenance."

The agent added the scheme respected the "architectural character and heritage value of the building and the wider conservation area".

"It provides much-needed housing accommodation in a sustainable, town-centre location."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.