A much-needed medical centre and church hall has opened its doors to parishioners and residents in Basingstoke, after being handed over by the Leadbitter Group.
The £3.2 million scheme, on the former site of St Andrew’s Methodist Church in the town’s South Ham area, was delivered by Leadbitter on behalf of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. The medical centre includes a doctors’ surgery, with seven consulting rooms, a dental surgery and a pharmacy.
The medical centre has been let to a practice that has relocated from its South Ham and Hatch Warren surgeries to the new site. The new hall will be used by both parishioners and the wider community.
Leadbitter’s first task was to demolish the existing church, which involved working around bat nesting season and carefully removing the church’s original foundation stones. The stones were restored and re-laid as part of the new two-storey building, which was built using traditional methods, including load bearing masonry and a trussed and tiled roof. The project also included creating new vehicular access and 16 extra car parking spaces.
David Cook, Regional Director of Leadbitter’s Southern Construction and Housing division, said: “Leadbitter is very proud of its work on this scheme. These much-needed medical centre and community facilities will bring tremendous benefits to the local community.”
The council’s Cabinet Member for Property and Finance, Councillor John Izett said: “Community health is a top priority for Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and I am delighted that work on these new and much-needed community facilities is now complete. Through joint working with partners and the local community we have invested £3.2 million to create 21st century facilities that will contribute to the future health and wellbeing of residents for many years to come. I hope they will be delighted with the results.”