THE new surgical centre in Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, has been shortlisted for a prestigious architectural award.

It was entered into this year’s Michelmores Property Awards the category for projects costing £10 million or more by a partnership of Kier Construction and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.

A partnership spokesperson said: “The surgical centre project is the culmination of many years of careful strategic planning and delivery of 14 enabling projects across the estate to pave the way for this cornerstone building.

“Construction was undertaken in one of the most complex live hospital environments in the UK and was delivered to replace former hospital theatres and the critical care unit, which were built during the Second World War as part of a temporary casualty evacuation hospital for the D-Day landings.

“The completed centre provides operating theatres, endoscopy rooms, critical care beds, sterile services, and clinical support within a state-of-the-art facility, delivering a healing and reassuring environment for patients while strengthening healthcare infrastructure and improving care for the people of Somerset.”

It is shortlisted with two other hospital projects in Devon and a commercial office block in Bristol.

The Michelmores awards, now in their 23rd year, recognise achievements in property development, construction, and regeneration, celebrating projects which contribute to the region's economy and community, with a particular focus on environmental sustainability, innovation, and social impact.

A Michelmores spokesperson said: “The awards continue to place emphasis on sustainability, innovation, and the broader positive impact of projects within their communities.

“With categories designed to reflect the diversity and quality of development across the West of England and South West, the awards highlight the growing importance of responsible, future-focused design.”

The awards dinner and ceremony will take place in the Sandy Park Conference Centre, in Exeter, on Thursday, June 25.