Published date: 07 May 2021
State-of-the-art health centre approved for Chiswick
Chiswick residents can look forward to better health outcomes after a brand-new state-of-the art health centre was granted planning permission earlier this month.
The new facility will also provide 55 new affordable homes for health workers such as nurses and physiotherapists.
The new facility, which will replace the old one, will also reduce the amount of carbon emissions by more than half making it significantly more environmentally friendly.
Hounslow Council will now work in partnership with the site’s owner, NHS Property Services (NHSPS) and the Clinical Commissioning Group to ensure the redevelopment of Chiswick Health Centre meets the needs and demands of the local community for years to come.
The plans include modern consulting and examination rooms, district nurse facilities, community rooms and staff accommodation – all built over the next three years.
A new public community garden, a private landscaped central courtyard, fifth floor garden terrace and gardens, will all improve the general look and feel of the area.
A massive 77 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide, above building regulation targets, will be achieved through electric technologies including solar PV and an air source heat pump.
Peter Matthew, Executive Director of Housing Planning and Communities, said:
“We are delighted this scheme has been approved as it will help towards delivering our commitment to tackling our homelessness and acute housing needs and deliver our 5,000 ‘Affordable Housing Pledge’.
“The improvements will also create construction jobs in the local area, contributing to the Council’s ‘Keeping It Local’ initiative which is fundamental in helping the borough recover through these challenging times.”
All three practices currently operating from the site – Chiswick Family Doctors, Chiswick Health, and West 4 GPs – have supported the project.
Reacting to the news, Doctor Venkatesham, of Chiswick Family Doctors, said:
“For several years we have felt that the existing building is badly in need of repair and modernisation. The proposal for a brand-new building is welcome news and we are in progressive discussions with all parties involved. We are very much looking forward to providing more and varied services for the community in Chiswick with better facilities housed in comfortable modern premises fit for the future.”
Senior Doctor, Unger-Graebar, of Chiswick Health Practice, said:
“This is good news for all of our patients as this new building will safeguard future plans to deliver more services to the people of Chiswick and help us to deliver 21st century medicine and treatment from a 21st century building for years to come.”
The funding for the residential part of the scheme was approved earlier this week by the Council and the planning approval yesterday will allow the scheme to now progress to the build phase.
Adrian Powell, Development and Planning Director, NHS Property Services said:
“We are delighted that Hounslow Borough Council’s planning committee resolved to grant consent of the planning application and approved the principles of a partnership. This development will have a hugely positive impact on the local area, not only providing high quality social housing for NHS key workers, but a new and improved health facility in which frontline staff can continue to deliver excellent patient care.”
More detailed information relating to the approved development can be read in the planning committee report or visit the Chiswick Health Centre engagement website.
