Proposed Student Studios to Transform Former City Centre Surgery
An application filed by planning agent Masefields seeks permission to convert the ground floor of Farrier House on Farrier Street. The applicant named on the submission is Living Worcester Ltd. The plan would create a cluster of student studios in the city centre.
Proposed conversion details
The scheme would deliver 12 student studios. Four units are planned as double rooms and eight as single rooms. Smaller rooms would rely on shared kitchen and dining facilities.
Room amenities and layout
Floor plans show eight rooms with individual cooking facilities. Four of those include a dining table. Every studio would feature its own en-suite bathroom with a shower.
Site background
Farrier House opened in 1972 as a commercial building. In 2017, developers added 69 rooms across the upper three floors. The ground-floor surgery continued to operate at that time.
Surgery closure and vacancy
The GP surgery at Farrier House closed in March 2024. Staff recruitment difficulties and rising operating costs were cited for the closure. Since then, the 3,581 square-foot ground-floor space has remained empty.
Patient communications
Patients were informed they must register with another practice. The closure letter said attempts to find a new operator had failed. The practice worked with NHS partners for months without success.
Parking and shared facilities
Five parking spaces formerly used by the surgery would be allocated to students. The application notes existing shared services in the building. The agent argues these services would be put to better use.
Planning rationale
Masefields’ planning statement argues the change is logical. Much of Farrier House already serves student accommodation. The proposal is described as meeting a need for sustainable student residential accommodation in Worcester.
Filmogaz.com will monitor the planning process. The planning authority will decide whether to approve the proposal. The proposal has been framed as proposed student studios within a former city centre surgery site, aiming to repurpose the vacant space.
