Work will begin soon on the development of a new £3m health centre in Telford, Shropshire.
Birmingham-based chartered surveyor, Johnson Fellows, has been appointed to lead the project, providing architectural and supporting services to Church Close Surgery, which will be relocating to the site of the former Madeley Court Sports Centre.
Andrew Rowson, building consultancy partner at Johnson Fellows, said: “The surgery is currently based in a small bungalow in the middle of a housing estate. It is very cramped, dated and has poor facilities. The practice now requires modern accommodation to help increase the number of GPs and to provide extra services, such as a minor operations suite, for its patients.”
Under the scheme, the practice will relocate to become part of a new 12-acre mixed-use site and will be renamed Parkway Medical Practice. The site was previously home to Madeley Court School and Madeley Court Sports Centre, which have been relocated.”
The new 15,000sq ft building will feature a gallery-style floor arrangement and wall space in the corridors will showcase artwork from local schools and related primary healthcare information.
Clive Elliott, project manager at the GP surgery, said: “The surgery has worked closely with Johnson Fellows to deliver a contemporary design that will help to create a more welcoming environment for our GPs and patients. The state-of-the-art facility will provide a minor operations suite, more treatment space, and an on-site pharmacy.
"We will also be inviting local students and artists to display their creative work in the surgery.”
Johnson Fellows has worked with Wrexham-based developer, Castlemead Group, to create a sustainable development proposal that is expected to achieve a BREAAM ‘very good’ rating. Castlemead will purchase the development site from Telford & Wrekin Council and enter into arrangements with one of the UK’s largest primary care property investors, Primary Health Properties, part of Nexus Group, to fund the project. The site will then be leased to Parkway Medical Practice on completion.
Joe O’Donnell, development director at Castlemead Group, said: “The new development will be a fantastic facility for local people. It is on the edge of the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, so we will need to ensure external materials, such as the bricks, blend in with the surroundings.”
Plans for the rest of the 12-acre site include a new access road from Parkway, development of a fast-food restaurant and other non-food retailers, and approximately 150 homes.
Work is due to start in January 2013 and is expected to be completed by the end of September.
