Important milestone reached for Great Western Park Health Centre

A health centre in Didcot has reached an important milestone after plans were approved by the local council. 

Responsibility for delivering primary health care lies with the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB) Integrated Care Board. 

A site for the health centre in Great Western Park was committed by developer Taylor Wimpey as part of its planning obligations, known as section 106. 

The two organisations have been working alongside Woodlands Medical Centre and their appointed developer Assura, as well as Vale of White Horse District Council, to bring forward the new health centre. 

An updated planning application was submitted in February to Vale of White Horse District Council, which is the planning authority for the site.  

The application set out the details of the health centre and how it will meet the needs of the local area. It was approved yesterday (Wednesday 2 April), by officer delegated authority.   

The updated application built upon the original application for the health centre to address concerns raised with the original application, with updated design information set out in a detailed design statement. This explains the design concept and principles that have been developed and incorporated into the proposed building – such as setting out landscaping, and parking arrangement – with the aim of optimising the site and range of services the building can provide for the surrounding community. It also sets out the sustainability measures the development will incorporate such as use of low energy LEDs. 

As the planning authority, Vale of White Horse District Council determined the application in accordance with the standard determination process for applications of this type. 

All parties are now working together to progress the next steps.