The news that an empty care home in Burntwood will become a new health centre has been welcomed by the opposition leader of Lichfield District Council.
But Labour representative Steve Norman believes the redevelopment of the Greenwood House site into the new base for the Fulfen and Spires GP practices.
“It is good news for Burntwood and Hammerwich residents that at last the empty Greenwood House Care Home, which was never reopened by the Conservative administration at the County Council, is to be used by the Fulfen and Spires Practices who have outgrown their current buildings,” he said.
“We have put pressure on both the Primary Care Trust (PCT) and the County Council ever since local residents voted in the PCT consultation that ended in November 2009. Unfortunately the Coalition government came in and the PCT found it could only fund the Burntwood Leisure Centre site and not the Greenwood House as well, despite a catchment area of 30,000.
“This was a kick in the teeth for local people and had it gone through as planned it should have been completed by early next year.”
The news should also ease concerns by residents nearby about the use of the building since the care home closed.
Cllr Norman added: “The Greenwood House building has been used for training police dogs since and local residents have complained to me about it. “
