PLANS to turn a former doctor’s surgery into student accommodation have been submitted to Worcester City Council.
An application has been submitted by planning agent Masefields, on behalf of applicant Living Worcester Ltd, proposing that the ground floor of Farrier House on Farrier Street is converted into a dozen rooms for student living.
The planning statement said: “The clinic has not operated for some time, and the tenants have relinquished their lease. The applicant has attempted to let the accommodation to another similar tenant without success.
“Given the existing use of much of the building for student accommodation, it is logical to extend this and make better use of the shared facilities and services.
“The proposals will create 12 student studios: four double rooms and eight single rooms.
“The smaller rooms will have access to shared kitchen and dining facilities.”
LAYOUT: How the proposed new student rooms would look in the former surgery (Image: Worcester City Council)
Farrier House was opened in 1972 as a commercial building, but 69 rooms were built on the first, second and third floors of Farrier House in 2017, while the surgery continued to operate downstairs.
The surgery closed in March 2024, citing issues with staff recruitment and rising operating costs.
A letter sent to patients at the time of the closure said: “We are writing to tell you that Farrier House Surgery will be closing and that you will need to register with another GP practice.
“Due to challenges with recruitment and rising costs, we are unable to continue to operate and therefore we have taken the difficult decision to close the practice.
“We have worked closely with our NHS partners over many months to find someone to take over the running of this practice, but unfortunately have been unsuccessful.”
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Since the surgery’s closure, the 3,581 square-foot space has remained empty.
According to floor plans submitted as part of the application, eight of the rooms will come with cooking facilities, with four of these including a dining table.
Every room has its own en-suite and shower.
Five parking spaces, which were previously used by the surgery, will be made available for students living in the new rooms.
The statement concluded: “This proposal meets a need for sustainable student residential accommodation in the city of Worcester.
“We trust you will support this application and give it your approval.”