I am pleased to start the New Year with some good news on the new Medical Centre at Beaulieu Park. I have seen for myself the pressures that GP surgeries are under at the moment. Delivering the new medical centre will bring knock-on benefits right across Chelmsford. Its opening will increase capacity for GP and other primary care services and help alleviate pressure on other surgeries.
Many will be aware that I have been encouraging all parties to accelerate plans for delivery of the new Beaulieu Park medical centre as I had become concerned about the slow progress. A new planning application has now been submitted for some amendments to the approved scheme. This includes a redesign of internal elements which will increase the internal floor area by 65m². This will therefore increase the amount of usable space available. A dedicated ambulance bay is no longer required, so there is now space for two additional parking spaces at the rear.
An offsite form of construction is proposed to reduce the on-site construction period and thereby limit disturbance to residents. The changes proposed do not materially alter the approved scheme, so the layout, scale and appearance of the approved health centre alters very minimally. These amendments will therefore be considered at Council Officer level and do not require statutory adverts, site notices or consultation.
More information can be found on the Chelmsford City Council Planning Documents website, it’s planning application number 14/01473/NMAT/1. Assuming that these amendments are agreed promptly, work can then progress to award contracts. I have written to the developers, Countryside Properties to ask them for an update on the timetable for completion and I will be following this very closely.
As ever, if I can do anything to help please email me at vicky.ford.mp@parliament.uk
