Contracts have been exchanged to enable works to begin on a £15m development at a town centre site in Weston-super-Mare.
The first phase of the project will see the construction of a new health centre and GP surgery which will replace the Graham Road surgery. The new health centre at Sunnyside Road North will provide facilities serving up to 12,500 people.
The wider masterplan includes the provision of about 200 new one and two-bedroom apartment homes on land that is part of the home of Weston-super-Mare Rugby Club, and a site on the Recreation Ground earmarked for a new primary school to be provided by North Somerset Council.
The proposed health centre, which will be built on part of the rugby club’s car park, will contribute towards the cost of the first phase of new facilities at the rugby club, which has operated at The Rec for more than 140 years.
Set to be delivered by RED Construction Group’s South West team, the project is being led by property developer and architect StudioHIVE together with its partner Atlas Land, working in partnership with North Somerset Council, the NHS and the rugby club.
Other advisers involved in the deal were Tim Bradford, of chartered surveyor Eddisons, which was the developer’s agent, and David Smithen of Shakespeare Martineau, who provided legal advice.
Planning consent was granted in November 2022. Work is expected to begin in October this year, with completion of phase one- the 0.9-acre health centre site – expected in July 2027.
James Howard, development director at StudioHIVE, said: “It’s so gratifying to be able to start work on this project, which will be transformative for many people in Weston-super-Mare.
“In conjunction with our public and private sector partners, we are commencing an important first building block in the delivery of the Weston Gateway, a new vision for this part of the town, with the construction of a state-of-the-art NHS facility. In the fullness of time, we will see further development with new homes and new facilities for the rugby club.”
Alan Chaytor, chief executive of developer Atlas HIVE Weston Ltd, added: “I am very excited to be working with the NHS and Assura to deliver this much-needed new health centre for Weston-super-Mare. After five years it’s great to see this building come to fruition.”
Derek Quinn, managing director of RED South West, said his team remains “focused on delivering high-quality projects throughout the region, we also continue to expand our senior leadership team and expertise”.
“The sustained growth of RED South West is propelled by our ability to secure great projects like the Weston Health Hub, one we’re proud to be a part of, because we will have a hand in a project that will lead to tangible, positive outcomes for our community.”
Mike Bell, leader of North Somerset Council, said: “Patients in Weston-super-Mare have been waiting a long time for this new, much needed and purpose-built health centre.
“It has been a complex project and we have been working hard behind the scenes with developers and the NHS to help make it happen. Not only will the centre improve healthcare, but it will do more to act early on health needs and provide better access to a wide range of care and support.”
The development was also welcomed by Weston-super-Mare MP Dan Aldridge and Dr. Joanne Medhurst, chief medical officer at NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board, which is facilitating the project.
Alex Larkin, chair of Weston-super-Mare Rugby Football Club, said: “It is very appropriate that, as the club prepares to embark on its 150th season, the first phase of this development finally comes to fruition.
“While the first phase will not directly enhance the rugby club’s facilities, it does mean that we are now able to move forward with the proposed redevelopment, which will see state-of-the-art facilities for players, supporters and the community to enjoy.”
