A planning permission application has been submitted to build a long-awaited new GP practice in Northumberland.
The new surgery in Felton has been in the pipeline for a few years now, and this latest positive step follows an engagement period where residents and stakeholders were able to give feedback on plans.
This feedback demonstrates that most people in this rural area of the county welcome the new surgery and the improved patient care and experience that it will enable. It will also provide staff with a much more suitable and modern environment to work in.
The current surgery, on Main Street, is small and housed in a converted farm building. The new and spacious site will be located less than half a mile away on Robson Grove.
Felton and Widdrington surgeries (Northumberland Health) became part of Northumbria Primary Care (NPC) in July this year. NPC, which was formed in 2015, is a partnership of ten GP practices and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
David Hedgcock, managing director of NPC, said: “We are delighted to be able to help progress this project as we know how important it is to the local community. I would like to assure the local Felton and surrounding communities that we are committed to providing excellent patient care and experience. We are also always looking at ways to improve patient access as we know how important this is, especially in rural areas.
“We are looking at services that will be provided from our new surgery, which will include GP cover and we will of course keep everyone updated. We encourage people to continue to give feedback on this via the Assura engagement microsite or speak to someone in the practice.”
Andrew Cooper, our develpment director said: “We are excited to be working in partnership with Northumbria Primary Care and to have submitted a long-awaited planning application for Felton surgery. The building will be a fantastic environment to provide vital primary care services for patients in Felton and surrounding areas. It will be a welcoming and modern space and, very importantly, provide access for people with disabilities.”
We have adopted Passivhaus design principles to ensure its environmental impact is minimal. Meaning ‘passive house’ in English, these principles refer to creating buildings that maintain an almost constant temperature, ensuring energy efficiency.
Jim Hart, lead architect at Corstorphine & Wright, said: “I've had the privilege of being involved in the conceptualisation and design of this transformative project. We strongly believe in crafting spaces that don't just fulfil immediate needs but are also sustainable and future-proof. By adopting Passivhaus design principles, we're ensuring that the Felton surgery will lead the way in the design of primary care facilities while harmonising with its surroundings - something so important in a rural community.”
The building will be 280 square metres (GIA) and consist of reception and dispensing areas, a comfortable waiting room, five consultation rooms and space for staff training. There will be space for an ambulance to park outside the front of the surgery, 20 car parking spaces and secure storage for bicycles.
The planning decision is expected by the end of this year. Subject to planning permission, it is hoped that construction will start in early 2024, with the surgery being operational by Summer of 2025.
Chair of Felton Parish Council, Adam MacDonald, said: “Felton Parish Council welcome the news that a planning application for the new GP practice has been submitted. Thanks to feedback from residents, the plans have been shaped in a way that will provide more access to GPs in a building that is tailored to the needs of the local communities. We look forward to continuing to engage with the Assura and NPC to ensure minimal disruption and maximum benefit for the people of Felton, as the planning process continues.”
Working with NPC we will ensure residents, patients and stakeholders are all kept informed as this project progresses.
For more information visit: https://www.feltonsurgerygpbuild.com/
The full planning application can be viewed at https://publicaccess.northumberland.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=S1E785QSKTL00&activeTab=summary