Work set to start on £5m centre

The multi-million pound project in Kings Heath will be built in four phases, with construction work on the first phase - the medical centre - due to start this week.

The clinic, which has been funded by Birmingham City Council, Unity Trust Bank, and the congregation of neighbouring All Saints parish church, will provide a range of services including a GP surgery, pharmacy, optician, dental surgery, and a centre for community nurses.

It will be followed by a community centre linking the clinic to All Saints parish church.

The centre, which will include a new hall, a community cafi, and facilities for young people, has been funded with a £1.1m investment from Futurebuilders England, a Government-financed scheme which offers a combination of grants and loans to voluntary groups which plan to deliver public services.

The third phase of construction will see the main building completed, with facilities for older people, and the final phase, set to finish in 2009, will link the church, the High Street and Vicarage Road through a "village square".

The idea for the complex was developed by the congregation of All Saints, who were looking for ways to connect with their local community and to boost the services provided by the church.

David Ritchie, chair of the development project, said: "This is a great day for All Saints. We have been working hard to get our development project launched for many years. It is wonderful to see phase one begin to come to fruition.

"Our vision is nothing less than the transformation of the heart of Kings Heath. The church has been at the heart of this community for nearly 150 years. It is important that it remains there.

"When the whole project is completed, there will be major new facilities to benefit everybody here - we are proud as well as delighted that it is the church that is making this possible and our aim is that the role of the church, as a pivotal focus in the community, will be better understood."

Richard Gutch, chief executive of Futurebuilders England, added: "All Saints first came to us for investment in September 2004, at which point we awarded them a £13,140 development grant to help them develop relationships with potential purchasers and assist with financial management.

"Following their success, they reapplied for a full investment package, and were awarded £1.1million to help fund their project.

"This project is an excellent example of a community taking control of its own future."

Birmingham broadcaster and historian, Professor Carl Chinn, launched the building work on Friday, January 26, helped by children from nearby Colmore Road School and from the All Saints playgroup which meets in the church hall.