Work begins on new £15m Belper Health Centre delivered by Henry Brothers
A turf-cutting ceremony has taken place to mark the start of work commencing on a new £15m hub for health services in Belper, Derbyshire, delivered by Henry Brothers Construction for Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust.
The celebration marked a key stage in the development of the new community healthcare project that will be built on the site of the former Belper clinic on Derby Road. Midlands-based contractor Henry Brothers Construction was appointed to deliver the new building, having been procured through our Major Works Framework through a competitive process to deliver over a planned construction phase of 66 weeks.
Designed with long-term sustainability in mind by architects Race Cottam associates, environmentally friendly features such as photo-voltaic roof panels will be used throughout. Meanwhile, pledges have been made to use local and recycled materials from demolished buildings wherever possible, and timber from certified sources. The hub will comprise 15 consulting rooms, six treatment rooms and a health education group room alongside other facilities and will be built to BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standards.
Adam Brumfitt, East Midlands regional delivery manager said: “Being able to facilitate projects like this one that have a real impact on local communities is such a big part of what we do at Pagabo. And as the world that we’re building in continues to change, it’s fantastic to see such strong environmental credentials being embedded throughout the project. Equally, by appointing local contractors to deliver the scheme it helps to boost the local economy, which is another key goal of ours. Now that work has begun, we look forward to seeing progress on what will be a brilliant and much-needed community health hub in Derbyshire.”
Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust chief, Tracey Allen, said: “Back in 2017 we first started talking publicly about the need for new community health facilities for Belper and it’s been a long and eventful seven years to reach this point, involving several changes of plan and a pandemic which put everything on hold. So, to be able to put the first ceremonial spade in the ground to start construction is a really fantastic moment.
“It’s a tribute to the many people who have helped us reach this point. I can’t wait to see the architect’s plans come off the page as the building takes shape and becomes a purpose-designed environment for local people to receive a range of community health services for years to come.”
John Sowter, design and planning director at Henry Brothers Construction, said: “We are very pleased to have started work on site, marking a key milestone in the mission to provide new, state-of-the-art community health services in Belper.
“It was an honour to host members of the Trust who have been pivotal in developing this scheme to an official turf-cutting ceremony and we are looking forward to delivering these new NHS facilities for the community of Belper.”
Other members of the construction team alongside Henry Brothers include project manager Capita, civil and structural engineer Eastwood Consulting Engineers, and mechanical and electrical engineers EP Consulting.
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