Plans lodged for nine new houses on Sidmouth Health Centre

Application 24/0125/PIP, prepared on behalf of the NHS, is asking for 'permission in principle' to change the use of the former Sidmouth Health Centre to provide up to nine residential units and other associated works.

This permission in principle establishes whether a site is suitable for housing-led development in principle before a Technical Details Consent (‘TDC’) application goes into more detail about the site and plans.

Nine new residential units will contribute to EDDC housing targets and a five-year housing supply position, suitable for occupation by small families.

The existing building could be converted into four one-bedroom and five two-bedroom residential units.

No external changes are proposed. Access to the site will still be along the access road from Blackmore Drive.

1:1 parking for each house will be available. Nine car parking spaces would serve the residential scheme, with the remainder to serve the Library. There would be cycle parking on the ground floor.

If this application is approved by East Devon District Council officers, more details will be available in the next planning application submitted.

Sidmouth Health Centre moved its operation to the Beacon last year. The expansion made 16 new rooms available for patients and staff.

Rooms will also be available to student nurses, medical students, and GP trainees.

An extra operating theatre at the Beacon site will provide more operating time for skin cancer surgery and carpal tunnel surgery, saving patients from having to travel to Exeter.

Office staff will move onto one site to streamline administrative services and provide more efficient handling of phone calls.

The Blackmore branch surgery, which lacks safe and modern healthcare facilities, will relocate to Sidmouth Community Hospital, meaning the practice will be able to continue seeing patients in the town centre if they cannot travel to Beacon.