NHS plans to transform former HQ into housing criticised

In June, plans were submitted by NHS Property Services and Newland Homes for the development of Southgate House into 36 homes.

The former office building has been left empty for several years after becoming surplus to requirements, but previously housed the area’s local Clinical Commissioning Group.

If approved, the proposal would see the current building at the site replaced with a range of apartments, semi-detached, and detached homes.

But these plans have received opposition from Devizes Town Council, during a public consultation.

READ MORE: New plans revealed for town's £2.5 million former NHS HQ

Southgate House Devizes (Image: Alder King Property Consultants)

The town council has objected to the scheme over concerns about a lack of affordable housing and the layout design for the proposed estate.

A spokesperson said: “Devizes Town Council objects to the application due to the lack of affordable housing provision within the application, not accepting the developer’s offset argument that they only need to provide one unit as they could have reused the existing building.

“There is also an objection to the layout, which was felt to be in contradiction to the new Wiltshire Design Guide, as the long driveways for the two properties access directly off Pans Lane jar against the follow of the built form of this important residential road, and as such the vehicular access should be from within the development.”

NHS Property Services previously said revenue generated from the development of Southgate House would be reinvested into local healthcare services.

At the time of writing, the 3.5-acre site remained on the market, listed by Alder King Property Consultants, for offers in the region of £2.5 million.

The property has been up for sale as a development opportunity for much of this year and was earlier marketed “extensively” to commercial occupiers.

Southgate House Devizes (Image: Alder King Property Consultants)

In 2022, the NHS explored the possibility of a 27-home residential development but has since moved forward with the updated scheme.

A spokesperson for NHS Property Services said: "NHSPS has an obligation to generate the best value for its properties so that this revenue can be reinvested back into the NHS estate, and the sale of Southgate House presents the opportunity for NHSPS to unlock and reinvest funding back into the health economy.

"The large office building was declared surplus by the local NHS Integrated Care Board in 2022 and has since been sold, subject to planning to Newland Homes, who are leading on the submission of a planning application for the site.”

While a spokesperson for Newland Homes, added: “Up to 36 low and zero carbon homes will be built on the site of the former Southgate House in Devizes by Newland Homes. 

"The Government has highlighted the importance of brownfield sites as key to delivering the 1.5m homes required over the next 5 years, adopting a brownfield first approach.

"This project adheres to all relevant planning policies for affordable housing on brownfield land. Because developing brownfield sites often costs more, an established policy called Vacant Building Credit helps make higher risk projects, such as this, feasible. Wiltshire Council’s housing enabling officer has reviewed our application and confirmed that using the Vacant Building Credit is policy compliant. 

"The proposed new homes will use renewable energy for both heat and power, surpassing requirements for both energy efficiency and environmental impact."

They said that the "development is unique and tailored to the character of the area".

"We have met with the town council and look forward to meeting with them again, to understand their comments in more detail as the planning application progresses,” they added.

The ongoing consultation runs until August 1 and Wiltshire Council aims to make a decision on the application by September 17.