Contracts have been exchanged enabling work to begin on a new health centre and GP surgery in Weston-super-Mare. The facilities will be built at Sunnyside Road North and will replace the Graham Road surgery, providing healthcare in a modern setting that can serve up to 12,500 patients.
This is the first phase of a local masterplan agreed by North Somerset Council, who have also provided land for the project.
The wider plans include around two hundred one and two-bedroom apartment homes on land which is part of Weston-super-Mare Rugby Club, along with a site on the Recreation Ground earmarked for a new primary school.
The Rugby Club, which has operated at the Rec for over 140 years, will also continue to see improvements as a result of the scheme. This includes a new clubhouse with a function and meeting room, a gym and physio facilities, plus a new suite of changing rooms for use by the club and the public.
Set to be delivered by RED Construction Group’s Southwest team, the project’s delivery will be led by developers and architects StudioHIVE together with partners Atlas Land, who will be working alongside North Somerset Council, the NHS and the Rugby Club.
Planning consent was granted for the surgery in November 2022 and work is expected to begin on site as soon as October this year. The health facilities will be built on part of the Rugby Club’s car park.
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.
“As ever, healthy communities are happy communities, which is why North Somerset Council are committed to doing all we can deliver modern facilities and infrastructure, forming the building blocks local people need to thrive into the future. The opening of this new health centre in 2027 will be very welcome.”
The development has also been welcomed by Weston-super-Mare MP Dan Aldridge.
He said: “This is a huge step forward for Weston. For too long local people have been waiting for modern health facilities, and I’m really pleased to see this project finally getting underway.
“The new health centre will make a massive difference to patients, while the wider regeneration will bring new homes, investment, and secure the future of our much-loved rugby club. Weston deserves first-class facilities, and I’ll keep fighting to make sure our town gets them.”
Dr. Joanne Medhurst, chief medical officer at NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board, which is facilitating the project, also added: “We are delighted that the contracts have all been agreed and signed for the new health centre in Weston-super-Mare. This really is an exciting development for people in the town.
“We know Weston has a growing population so strengthening neighbourhood health services and ensuring everyone has access to high-quality healthcare is a top priority for the NHS locally, and a significant part of our Healthy Weston programme of work. We are looking forward to seeing the building work begin.”
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.
“In addition, having been at the heart of the local community for 150 years, this will help provide a sustainable future for the rugby club and improve its facilities to enhance the experience for players and spectators alike.
“We have worked tirelessly with our partners, in particular North Somerset Council and the NHS, to make this bold vision a reality and we will continue to work with the council, the rugby club and other users of The Rec to minimise the impact of construction work.”
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.
“The proposal includes a new clubhouse overlooking the first team pitch, with a function and meeting room, a gym and physio facilities, plus a new suite of changing rooms for use by the club and the public.”