Johnson Fellows to build £3 million healthcare facility in Telford

(l-r) Joe O’Donnell, development director at Castlemead Group, and Andrew Rowson, building consultancy partner at Johnson Fellows.

Johnson Fellows is set to build an impressive £3 million healthcare facility in Telford, Shropshire.

The Birmingham-based chartered surveyors has been appointed to lead the initiative, providing architectural and supporting services to Church Close Surgery, which will be relocating to the site of Madeley Court Sports Centre.

Andrew Rowson, building consultancy partner at Johnson Fellows, said: “The surgery is currently based in a small bungalow in the middle of a housing estate. It is very cramped, dated and has poor facilities. The practice now requires modern accommodation to help increase the number of GPs and provide extra services, such as a minor operations suite, for its patients.

“The practice will relocate to become part of a new 12-acre mixed use site in Madeley, South Telford, and will be renamed Parkway Medical Practice. The site was previously home to Madeley Court School and Madeley Court Sports Centre where services have now relocated to the nearby Madeley Academy and Abraham Darby School.”

The new 15,000 sq ft building will feature a gallery-style floor arrangement and wall space in the corridors will showcase artwork from local schools and related primary healthcare information.

Clive Elliott, who has project managed on behalf of the surgery, said: “The surgery has worked closely with Johnson Fellows to deliver a contemporary design that will help to create a more welcoming environment for our GPs and patients. The state-of-the-art facility will provide a minor operations suite, more treatment space, and an on-site pharmacy.

“We will also be inviting local students and artists to display their creative work in the surgery.”

Johnson Fellows joined forces with Wrexham-based developers Castlemead Group, which has a wealth of expertise in the healthcare and nursing home sector, to create a sustainable development proposal. Castlemead will purchase the development site from Telford & Wrekin Council and enter into arrangements with one of the UK’s largest primary care property investors, Primary Health Properties, to fund the project. The site will then be leased to Parkway Medical Practice on completion.

Joe O’Donnell, development director at Castlemead Group, said: “The new development will be a fantastic facility for local people. It is on the edge of the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site so we will need to ensure external materials, such as the bricks, blend in with the surroundings.”

Plans for the rest of the 12-acre site include: a new access road from Parkway; development of a fast-food restaurant and other non-food retailers; and approximately 150 homes. Telford & Wrekin Council recently granted planning permission for the GP surgery.

As part of the proposal for the medical practice in Madeley, Johnson Fellows has been in consultations with the council’s planning department to discuss urban design, conservation, highways, and drainage.

Work on Parkway Medical Practice, which will be built to BREEAM Very Good standard, is due to start in January 2013 and be completed by the end of September 2013.