Historic Wellington hospital could be converted to apartments under new plans
Developers are planning to turn Wellington's historic cottage hospital into apartments.
The plans could see the former Cottage Care building turned into six apartments, as well as nine bungalows built nearby. A modern garage built on the site will be demolished.
If given the green light, the work would also see new landscaping and a car park built on the site, in Haygate Road.
The hospital was originally built in 1912, and was extended several times over the years. It was closed in 1990 and refurbished into the Cottage Care centre. This closed in 2018.
Designer OM Architecture, on behalf of developer Shropshire Restorations, said: "The proposal is to convert a building blighted by unsympathetic extensions into high quality residential apartments.
"This is an opportunity to breath new life into a valued building, significantly improve its visual appeal and secure its long future.
"Careful consideration has been undertaken in terms of design to ensure a sympathetic conversion which respects the amenity of its neighbours and and will preserve and enhance the existing house.
Familiar
"This application has been carefully considered and will result in a successful new residential development in the heart of Wellington."
The designers said the work would provide much needed retirement age homes and would retain the familiar building.
Developers said it hoped plans for 39 parking spaces would help to avoid any parking issues on Haygate Road.
The overall Cottage Care site has been split in two. Plans from Bromford Housing Group for the other half of the site were submitted in March 2019 to build 14 flats and four three-bedroom houses on the site. They have since been withdrawn.
The hospital itself was significantly altered internally as it became a hospital in the early 1990s.
The plot for the building, along with money for construction and furnishing, was left by Ann Crump Bowring when she died in 1910. The widow of a successful local businessman, her money was also used to build the nearby recreation ground.
Telford & Wrekin Council will make a decision on the plans in the coming months.
