Concern over redevelopment of 'eyesore' building

Health bosses plan to relocate Severnbank Surgery and Lydney Health Centre to the site in Newerne Street

A former supermarket earmarked for a new GP surgery has become an "eyesore" after delays to its redevelopment, according to a local politician.

Severnbank Surgery and Lydney Health Centre are to relocate to the former Co-op site in Newerne Street in Lydney.

NHS Gloucestershire granted funding for the centre last year, but, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, county councillor Alan Preest raised concerns at a recent meeting.

He said: "The building is deteriorating and becoming an eyesore. Graffiti abodes it all around."

Mr Preest raised concerns over delays to the redevelopment

Mr Preest explained councillors were given a briefing in February last year which suggested building work would start in early 2025 with the site opening in 2026.

But, he said in November he was told health chiefs anticipate building works would not start until some time between October and December 2025.

"The building would then open around 12 months later," he told the meeting at Shire Hall on 28 January.

"I'm sure you'll agree with me that between October and December is not the early part of 2025. I really want to know why the delay."

The former supermarket site is due to be redeveloped

NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board chief executive Mary Hutton said: "We are working very closely with the development partner and they are identifying to us that there are no issues.

"They are working through the finalisation of the investment arrangements in February 2025.

"Planning approval is next, then purchase of the building and building work will start between October and December 2025."

The new £7.5m health centre would provide a range of GP and other services for around 15,000 patients and with the potential for expansion for a further 4,000.

NHS Gloucestershire's Primary Care and Direct Commissioning Committee granted funding last year for the new centre.

The building on Newerne Street is to be extensively redeveloped while making use of the existing Co-op structure.

The practices would remain separate, occupying different areas of the building with their own self-contained clinical and administration spaces, but sharing some common space.