New combined health centre moves a step closer

Investigation work is due to start on the site of new health and social care centre in Bilston ahead of construction work commencing next year, a council has said.

The Bilston Health & Wellbeing Facility will bring together providers of primary and community health care as well as leisure, learning and creative sectors, City of Wolverhampton Council said.

It will mostly be funded by a £20m government levelling-up grant.

Councillor Chris Burden, cabinet member for city development, jobs and skills, said it would provide "invaluable" services for the community.

The building will be adjacent to the WV Active Bilston-Bert Williams Leisure Centre and Bilston Urban Village Medical Centre and close to the town's public transport interchange, markets and urban village nature reserve.

Initial work in spring will also see the leisure centre car park extended from 90 to 125 spaces along with an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system which will also be able to provide anti-social behaviour alerts, the council said.

Detailed designs for the new centre and public space improvements will be finalised in early 2025.

The council said it wanted the centre to be "an anchor" within the community, focusing on early intervention and prevention and improved primary and community services.

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