Green light for £12m community centre
Plans to build a new £12m complex integrating health and council services in Sparkbrook have been given the final go-ahead. Work will commence on the scheme, which will also see the construction of a new church hall, later this month.
The community’s new Sparkbrook Primary Care and Community Centre is due for completion late 2011.
The project is a partnership between the Heart of Birmingham Teaching Primary Care Trust (HoBtPCT), Birmingham City Council, The Diocese of Birmingham, Birmingham and Solihull (BaS) LIFT and Prime which have successfully reached the final stages of approval for the centre.
The 52,065 sq ft facility, based at the crossroads of Grantham Road, Dolobran Road, Farm Road and Sampson Road, will form two sites overlooking Farm Park. One will house the Primary Care and Community Centre and the other the church hall.
The three-storey centre will accommodate services including dental services, baby clinics and stop smoking clinics. New services such as physiotherapy, healthy young people services and a size down weight loss group will also be introduced.
The facility’s other wing, which is opposite Farm Park, will accommodate one of Birmingham City Council’s new customer service centres, replacing temporary accommodation currently used in Mole Street. Four rooms, three of which can be opened up to create a larger space, will also be available for community use and events.
In addition, the centre will offer six offices for start-up social enterprises or businesses that could potentially benefit the local community.
Designed in consultation with the public, patients and staff by healthcare building specialists One Creative Environments, the main centre takes an ‘L’ shape to fit its corner position.
