Project update

(1)     That, at this time, the Council does not progress the proposed development on the Downs Site of a Health Hub, unless and until all the following conditions have been satisfied:

(i)     It is established within a reasonable timescale (i.e.12 months) by the NHS that there is no practical prospect of new GP premises being provided in Seaford through the redevelopment of the Seaford Medical Practice’s existing Dane Road site, together with the Richmond Road car park. For this purpose the Cabinet should be satisfied that the NHS has diligently carried out a full analysis of the viability of this option which should include all necessary surveys.

(ii)    Any revised design for the Downs Site excludes the residential and retail elements. 

(2)     The financial model for the revised design specified at point ii) above must clearly demonstrate that the Council will make a suitable financial return commensurate with the risks involved, and that the required investment will not prevent the Council from investing in higher priority capital projects to the benefit of the whole of the District, due to the impact of that investment on the Council’s borrowing limits.

The Council cannot be satisfied, at this time, that there is no opportunity to retain GP practices in the town centre by providing new GP premises on the site of the existing Seaford Medical Practice at Dane Road, together with the Richmond Road car park.

The proposed residential element is not an essential part of the scheme and would not be commercially viable without value-engineering, which is likely to reduce sustainability.  The retail element does not meet any obvious need in the community and has been met with concerns from local residents.  The combined effect of removing these two elements may serve to reduce the amount of green space lost at the Downs, in particular existing trees on the site.

The Council’s financial return from the scheme must be commensurate with the risks involved and must not prevent investment in higher priority capital projects, with District wide benefits.

Alternative options were explored as part of the Scrutiny Seaford Health Hub Panel report.