In January 2011, the Trust received a letter from the then Health Secretary Andrew Lansley CBE, which confirmed the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO). This gave the Trust the go-ahead to buy the two-thirds of the Grove Lane site that it does not currently own, in order to build the new hospital. The remaining third is already owned by the Trust.
The letter summarises the outcome and recommendations of a public inquiry into the use of the CPO that took place in June 2010.
In his letter Mr Lansley wrote, “The evidence put forward by the Trust and the findings of the inspector, leads me to conclude that there is a clear health need for a new hospital facility in Grove Lane. This is fully supported by local primary care trusts, the Right Care Right Here Partnership and the local Council.
“I believe the delivery of a new hospital and associated improvements to local healthcare, together with the potential wider regeneration benefits in the Smethwick area, will outweigh the disadvantages arising from the Order.
“There is a compelling case and it is in the public interest. I have decided to confirm the Order without modification.”
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