"A COMMUNITY focus to be proud of" is how the architects behind Minehead's long-awaited 'healthplex' New Horizons scheme have described the project in an outline planning application to West Somerset Council. The application reveals for the first time exactly what is being proposed for the site behind the West Somerset Community College off Seaward Way and where the various elements will be built. Crucially, there will be a leisure centre featuring a 25 metre swimming pool and 'flexible' sports hall, together with a new community hospital boasting 20 inpatient beds, diagnostics facilities, a minor injuries unit and an ambulance station. The hospital will also have dental facilities, a day surgery and outpatients services, a mental health day care facility and a patient support centre. In a design statement, Aedas Architects said the development would offer a wealth of opportunities both for West Somerset residents and college students. The company said: "Siting all the buildings within a campus environment will enable health, education and leisure providers to work in close partnership to the benefit of the local community. "The healthplex complex will become a one-stop for education for both young, old and inclusive for all. "It will be a community focus to be proud of, located at the gateway into the town. "It will be educational, provide holistic health benefits and be fun. "The leisure facilities will be a significant improvement on what is presently available within the town. "The improvements will make best use of the existing site, providing a clear statement of Minehead as a town for the 21st century." If the plans are approved, the site would be accessed via a new roundabout off Seaward Way, with the college's existing all-weather and tennis courts being moved to accommodate the new community hospital. A skills and enterprise centre for use by both the community and the college would be built alongside the hospital and provide a base for adult learning, as well as first class facilities for college students to undertake studies in health and beauty, hairdressing, catering and construction, among other subjects. The leisure centre would be sited the closest to Seaward Way with parking for 252 cars and facilities ranging from a climbing wall, "activity spaces" and changing rooms through to a café, shops and even a hairdressing salon. Again, the sporting facilities would be available for both community and college use, providing students with a wider base of sports to experience and study and giving West Somerset residents top rate amenities on their doorstep. A bus interchange would be created alongside the hospital, with the entire 'healthplex' site offering parking for a total of 432 vehicles. Floor levels in all the buildings would also be "considerably above the extreme flood level" to combat the risk posed by tidal flooding. In one of a number of reports accompanying the application, Paul Ellingham of Alliance Environment and Planning Ltd - a company brought in by partners the district council, the Somerset Primary Care Trust (PCT), Somerset County Council and the West Somerset Community College to oversee the project - said the development of the 16 hectares site would herald the arrival of truly integrated service provision. He said: "The New Horizons centre will comprise a leisure centre, a skills and enterprise building to deliver outreach services providing sport, leisure, learning, art and culture, business and health in an integrated way. "The development of a new community primary care hospital also forms an important part of the proposal. "The proposed development seeks to respond to the identified needs of both learners and local employers in the local area. "These building are, therefore, required to help deliver sustainable economic and inclusive development by helping to deliver an appropriate skilled workforce. "In addition, by making opportunities for learning and health available to local people the development makes a positive contribution to providing improved access to jobs and services for all members of the community." It is likely the application will be considered by members of the district council's planning committee in the New Year, which, if approved, would pave the way for the New Horizons steering group to apply for funding to ensure the viability of the scheme. District council leader Cllr Christine Lawrence said she was delighted the hard work which had gone into the project so far was finally coming to fruition. She said: "We will continue to work hard to secure first class modern health, welfare and educational facilities for residents in West Somerset. "With local support, these plans will underpin the development of healthy, sustainable communities and encourage economic growth in the area." Jan Hull, interim chief executive of Somerset PCT, said the planning application was another big step forward for the scheme. She said: "It is particularly pleasing to see the way that all organisations involved have been working together to seek ways of progressing the New Horizons facilities." The existing community hospital in Minehead was built in 1889 and is no longer deemed to be "fit for purpose". A report accompanying the planning application stated: "The aim of the primary care trust is not simply to replicate the way in which services are presently delivered but to create a modern, leading edge approach to the delivery of healthcare utilising the latest clinical approaches and technology for the benefit of patients." County Cllr Paul Buchanan, portfolio holder for economic development, said: "We are committed to engaging with local residents, interest groups and other stakeholders throughout this project so we can develop the best package for the people of West Somerset."
