Families to step up health unit battle

Sep 9 2005 By James Cartledge, Evening Mail

FURIOUS residents battling plans for a mental health unit on their doorsteps may launch a second legal challenge.

Home owners living a stone's throw from Moseley Hall Hospital said they were "incredulous" they had not been consulted more over revised proposals for a £20 million, 63-bed extension.

They refused to rule out a second legal battle over Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust's plans, having formed a limited company to demand a judicial review into the original scheme.

Health chiefs told a packed public meeting last night the proposals were essential to improve care for mentally ill pensioners currently treated at the "ghastly" Queen Elizabeth Psychiatric Hospital, in Edgbaston. They want to bulldoze two 1960s wards and replace them with a larger unit offering ensuite bedrooms and accommodation for couples who may both need care.

"The QEPH is ghastly. It's undignified, crowded and dark," said trust chairman Dr Jonathan Shapiro. "This is a Godsent opportunity in the middle of the community it serves."

But residents of Amesbury Road and Reddings Road said they were worried about the increased size of the building, the materials to be used and extra traffic.

Alison Millward, of Reddings Road, claimed home owners had not been properly consulted.

"We have some very important buildings and landscapes within the community and these proposals haven't taken into account that wider significance. We are incredulous and will be seeking a legal opinion."

"We are absolutely opposed to this proposal," said Andrew Fowler, of Amesbury Road. "This land-grabbing addition to the existing piecemeal buildings will relate to nothing around it." Birmingham City Council's planning committee is expected to consider the proposals next month.