After a competitive tendering exercise Matrix Realty Group has been selected by the steering group for the project, which is led by Wyre Forest Community Housing and also consists of Wyre Forest PCT, Wyre Forest District Council, Worcestershire County Council, Bewdley Development Trust, Advantage West Midlands and project management specialists Gleeds.

Over the next six months Matrix Realty will develop more detailed proposals for the site, which currently houses the St George’s Community Hall, medical centre and town library. They will do this in full consultation with current landowners and local residents.

Initial proposals for the site include a brand new medical centre, new library, housing (including affordable housing), a new fire station and a major refurbishment of St George’s Community Hall, to provide modern facilities for the local community, all of which will be designed to blend sympathetically with the current architecture of the town.

Birmingham-based Matrix Realty offer experienced developers and investors dedicated to the delivery of health and other public sector buildings. The company has completed a number of other similar developments.

Yvonne Leishman, Managing Director at Wyre Forest Community Housing and spokesperson for the Project Steering Group, said: “We are delighted to announce Matrix Realty as the developers for this exciting venture. We look forward to working closely with them to deliver this flagship project for Bewdley which will benefit generations to come.”

Alistair Black, Development Manager for Matrix added, "This is a major project for Bewdley and its community, and Matrix Realty is delighted to have been selected to deliver such important facilities. We are looking forward to working closely with the community in the design and development of the project."

John Iles, Chair of the Bewdley Development Trust, noted that "The major investment in flood defences in the town now makes this development possible which will bring considerable benefits to all the community of Bewdley and its surroundings. It will put back the heart in Bewdley."

Richard Gunn, Practice Manager, and Iain Inglis, Lead Partner of Bewdley Medical Centre said "Bewdley Medical Centre have been fully informed and involved in discussions with the project group and are very excited by the outline ideas that have been put forward for further discussion. The current Medical Centre is now very overcrowded and a new Medical Centre built to the latest standards would enable more services to be delivered from the centre of Bewdley. We are keen to see an integrated approach to any town centre development and look forward to working closely with the developer and the project group."