Plans have been submitted to convert part of County Hall in Somerset into flats for NHS staff.
The proposal has been submitted by developer Prime Plc and suggests constructing 71 flats in in the building, known as ‘C Block’. The establishment, which is situated at the south end of the site near Vivary Park, was sold by Somerset Council in April for £1.7m.
Though some serious renovations need to be completed on the building, such as installing new stairs and lifts to allow suitable access to the flats, it is in a prime location for NHS workers – less than one mile from Musgrove Park Hospital.
Speaking to SomersetLive, a spokesman for AHR Architects, who are representing the applicant, said: ‘The concrete frame, floor slabs and shear walls remain in sound condition and are suitable for continued use.
‘Lightweight partition walls will be introduced to subdivide the floorplates, with no changes to the core structure required. This strategy avoids unnecessary demolition and capaitalises on the robustness of the original construction.
‘In support of the residential conversion, a number of carefully considered external interventions are proposed. These include the construction of a new stair core to deliver a fully compliant fire strategy, a purpose-built bin store for effective waste management, a substation to meet future energy requirements, and secure basement cycle storage to encourage sustainable transport.’
Once complete the project will be managed by Hyve, an organisation also owned by Prime Plc. The company are working with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, which manages Musgrove Park Hospital, to help give NHS staff first pick of the flats.
What’s more, is staff aren’t forthcoming then the flats could be offered to other public sector and healthcare workers including police officers, teachers, firefighters, social workers and childcare workers.
Image via Shutterstock
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