The building of a brand-new Health Centre is now underway at Beaulieu, Countryside (now part of Vistry Group) and L&Q’s new residential development in north-east Chelmsford.
Local MP, Vicky Ford, was welcomed on-site, alongside senior representatives from Countryside, L&Q and the NHS, to lay the first brick.
Once complete, the Beaulieu Health Centre will span over 800 sqm. Conveniently located at Beaulieu Square alongside the Beaulieu Community Centre, it is hoped that the brand-new facility will house vital GP-led services which will be delivered by a variety of healthcare professionals such as advanced nurse practitioners.
The building will also be BREEAM excellent, ensuring it meets sustainability goals whilst continuing to perform optimally over time, and designed to be Net Zero in operation with solar panels and smart management systems.
Hutton Construction, which has been appointed to build the new Beaulieu Health Centre, is expected to hand over the completed building late next year.
Martin Leach, Managing Director, Major Projects, Countryside, said: “We are delighted to be providing this key amenity for our residents at Beaulieu as well as the wider Springfield community. We have been in discussion with the NHS for some time now, in the hope that they will occupy the health centre once complete, to help meet the high demand for GP services in Chelmsford.”
Adam Simpson, Development and Project Management Director at L&Q, said: “Beaulieu has always been about more than houses. Our aim from the outset has been to create a place that people can truly call home, with excellent transport links, open spaces and local amenities on the doorstep. The start of works on this brand-new health centre is an important next step in our journey with Countryside, and we can’t wait to see it open.”
Kate Butcher, the NHS Mid and South Essex Deputy Alliance Director for Mid Essex, said: “It’s important for the NHS to ensure our growing communities have access to high-quality GP-led care in appropriate premises.
“This project from Countryside and L&Q is delivering a flexible, eco-friendly medical centre for local residents that puts 21st century clinical services on their doorsteps. We welcome the start of work by Hutton Construction.”
Vicky Ford MP said: “Increasing GP capacity in Chelmsford is a top priority for many people across Chelmsford. I am delighted that construction is now underway at Beaulieu Medical Centre. This state-of-the-art facility will support the growing population in North Chelmsford as well as residents who live across Springfield and nearby. The project will deliver many more consulting rooms and take pressure off other local surgeries across all of Chelmsford city.”
David Ball, Construction Director at Hutton Construction said: “Hutton Construction is pleased to have made a good start to the construction of the new Beaulieu Health Centre and it’s great to be partnering with Countryside and L&Q on this venture. Credit should be given to our site team who have worked hard to ensure the project is delivered safely with minimal disruption to the local neighbourhood”.
