MEDICAL chiefs are asking a developer for £150k to expand Halesowen Medical Practice to take on an influx of hundreds of extra patients they forecast would come from the proposed Bluebird factory site development.

There is no capacity for the GPs' surgery on Quarry Lane to take extra patients, according to Dudley Clinical Commissioning Group.

But with proposals from Seven Homes for 116 properties on the former factory site in Bromsgrove Road, Romsley, there could be more than 450 new patients fighting for GP services.

A report from Dudley CCG notes that the nearest GP surgeries are Halesowen Medical Practice and Stourside Medical Practice - but Stourside's catchment area excludes the development site.

Philip Cowley, Senior Finance Manager, Primary Care and Estates for NHS Dudley CCG, wrote in response to a consultation: "Due to the location of the proposed site, it is expected that the majority of patients from the development will seek to access primary care services in Halesowen.

He goes on: "Halesowen Medical Practice, the practice identified above as being the most likely to take on the new registrants, has indicated to Dudley CCG that it is currently operating at capacity and does not have sufficient space to accommodate the increase in population that will result from the development."

He goes on: "It is the view of Dudley CCG that, in order to accommodation the additional population resulting from the development without any detriment to existing services, it will be necessary to provide at least one additional clinical room within Halesowen.

"There is currently no NHS capital funding available to be allocated to support the delivery this additional facility, and the CCG seeks a contribution from the developer to meet these costs."

Mr Cowley says around £150k is needed from the developer to provide new clinical rooms.

To see the planning application and reports click here http://bit.ly/2SOvev2 or search for application 19/00592/FUL on Bromsgrove District Council's website's planning section.

The factory with its imposing entrance of Doric columns, was built in 1925 by Blue Bird's founder, Sir Harry Vincent at a cost of £250,000 - over £7 million in today's terms.

The developer wants to transform the historic administration building at the front of the site into ten homes made up of 2 three bedroom houses, 2 three bed, 3 two bed and 3 one bed apartments.

It also wants to preserve the former welfare building which would be converted into 12 homes comprising 2 four bed houses, 2 three bed houses and 5 two bed and 3 one bed apartments.

Ninety four homes would then be built on the remainder of the land, made up of 11 two bedroom houses, 36 three bed houses, 44 four bed houses and three five bed homes.

A spokeswoman for Bromsgrove District Council, said the proposal will come up for councillors to consider at a development committee meeting - but a date has not yet been set.

Seven Homes has been contacted for comment.