Basildon: Medical centre plans for former Debenhams store

A new private medical centre has been earmarked for the former Debenhams unit in Basildon's Eastgate Shopping Centre

Converting a former Debenhams store into a medical centre is set to "add vibrancy" to a town centre.

Basildon Borough Council has approved plans to create a private healthcare facility in the three-storey store within the Eastgate Centre.

Developers said the service may support local NHS services in the future, should the need arise.

Council officers said the plans would have "significant social, economic and environmental benefits for Basildon".

A report presented to the council on 21 February also said the medical centre would provide additional health services, and would "boost expenditure and footfall within the town centre".

Council officers said the new medical centre would improve footfall in Basildon

Despite the applicant, Galliard Homes, providing confirmation that the facility would be funded by insurance and self-paying patients, the centre will not be limited from supporting local NHS services in the future should the need arise, the council heard.

Out of almost 1,800 neighbouring properties notified of the proposal, only one letter of objection was received.

Although it had not objected to the plans, Mid and South Essex NHS Trust expressed concerns that the applicant has exaggerated the expected positive impact of the facility on the community's health profile, as it considered the treatments being offered would not assist in areas of under-capacity, such as child obesity and adult self-harm.

However, the applicant has since met and held a detailed correspondence with the trust, in an effort to offer assurance that the facility would not have a detrimental impact on the existing NHS workforce and provision in the area.

The new centre will offer minor surgeries and procedures requiring endoscopy or ophthalmology care, as well as major surgeries such as knee and hip replacements.

In addition, it would contain comprehensive diagnostics suites, MRI and CT scanning provisions and patient accommodation for pre and post-surgery periods.