Eureka Park Medical Centre
Outline plans for a
multi-million pound new medical centre creating 150 jobs have been
approved by Ashford Borough Council’s Planning Committee.
The council’s Planning Committee resolved to grant outline
planning permission, however this is dependant on the Highways
Agency agreeing to the scheme and withdrawing their current holding
direction, (which prevents the council from issuing planning
permission).
The applicant will also have to enter into a section 106
agreement with the borough council.
The 6,500 square metre, three storey centre will be located on a
1.37 hectare site at Eureka Park. The centre will provide a range
of out patient and in patient health services across a number of
specialities, focussing on elective surgery.
The proposed facility will include four operating theatres,
approximately 36 inpatient bedrooms, consulting rooms, waiting
rooms and landscaped gardens.
The clinic will employ up to 150 people and provide
opportunities for local volunteers. In the short term the
development also will generate approximately 250 construction
jobs.
Though privately funded and operated, the hospital could also
provide additional diagnostics and elective surgical capacity in
the area for NHS funded patients.
Cllr John Kemp, portfolio holder for planning and development,
said: “This centre will help meet the needs of an expanding local
population by providing additional capacity which the NHS can
utilise to supplement existing medical facilities. It will also
bring some of the sought-after highly skilled jobs which Ashford is
looking to attract.”
Rory Coonan, Head of Design and Architecture for Health
Properties, developers of the project, said: “This project is very
good news for Ashford’s health economy and for Ashford’ future. As
we go forward to develop a great design for the building, we are
looking forward to working with Ashford Borough Council’s excellent
team.”
Media Release 0088/08
18/03/2008
This webpage was updated on
3/19/2008