Council-owned land at Colin Campbell Court will be sold for a nominal sum to the University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust to enable a new diagnostic centre to be built in the city centre.
Cabinet Member for Finance Councillor Mark Lowry said: “We could have sold the site at market value – that would always help our finances – but we want this project to go ahead and at pace.
“Selling the land to our partner for a nominal sum shows the level of commitment we have for this project. A key priority of our Corporate Plan is to work with the NHS to provide better access to health, care and dentistry and this a shining example of that ambition. This project is also an important first step in the long-awaited regeneration of Colin Campbell Court.”
A decision has been signed authorising the sale of the land, valued at £270,000, to the trust to enable the Community Diagnostic Centre to be built – subject to planning permission being granted. It also gives the green light to the business case to carry out to enabling works, including relocating a sewer, to support the project.
The hospital trust with Council support, submitted a bid to the government for funding for a new centre to help people to get tested through CT scans and x-rays to help detect disease or injury earlier or quicker, improving the health of Plymouth’s residents.
In June 2023 the Government confirmed funding would be available for the scheme and last October, a temporary scanning facility was opened on Colin Campbell Court to provide these important services in the area as an interim solution.
Derriford’s Future Hospital Associate Director, Nicki Collas: “This project is a great example of partnership working at its best. The site is perfectly located to provide diagnostic services closer to the community and will also support the council’s regeneration plans for this part of the city. We look forward to working together to deliver this important facility.”
City Centre manager Steve Hughes said: “Each step is a step in the right direction for the city centre and for businesses. This part of the city centre has been earmarked for regeneration for quite some years and bit by bit, progress is being made. Not only will this project help provide much needed health tests for residents, it will also dramatically increase the number of people who come into this part of the city centre.”
The project is subject to planning permission and appointing a contractor to deliver the project within budget and on time. The application was submitted by the hospital last December and should permission be granted, work could start later this spring.
The CDC project is only possible because of the pro-active approach the Council has taken to land assembly and site clearance, which has been supported by Homes England and the One Public Estate Programme, as well as local stakeholders.