We were commissioned to prepare a Development Control Plan (DCP) for the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW), to guide future and more detailed proposals that may emerge during the next five years.
The plan involved reviewing future and changing healthcare needs and opportunities to modernise services provided to patients and the town planning considerations involved and community views.
Development options for the future of the Weston General Hospital site were also evaluated and assessed to address three main issues:
- Changing circumstances in the provision of healthcare as proposed by Healthy Weston 2
- Clinical needs such as increasing demand or responding to changes to regional models of care etc.
- The request of local planning authority for a broad master plan providing a framework for significant investment over the next five years
A thorough review of the physical, social, and economic characteristics of the area and its surroundings was completed to inform the plan including an analysis of the existing influences and constraints. Sustainability and sustainable development principles were at the heart of the plan.
Weston-super-Mare has a growing population with three overarching priority population groups that local services need to ensure are more comprehensively catered for going forward:
- Frail and older people: changing health needs of the population associated with the growth in the frail elderly population in the local area.
- Children and Young People: more local children and young people will be able to receive local care.
- Vulnerable Groups: new service in the centre of Weston to support people requiring support at evenings and weekends.
The Site Development Plan will focus on what interventions can be made to the existing built estate to support the wider vision of Case for Change and Healthy Weston 2 but should also be mindful of how it can contribute to the long-term aspirations.
The existing Weston Hospital site provides many opportunities for simple and minor gestures that can improve the patient and staff experience and by making a more enjoyable and reactive environment can help to create a workplace of choice.
The DCP sets out the location, scale, and general form of development likely to be acceptable to meet the developing known healthcare needs in each part of the Weston General Hospital site during the next 5 years including sections such as:
- Historical Development of the Site
- Planning Context and constraints
- Existing Influences
- Site Engineering Infrastructure issues
- Key Considerations
- Overall Development Principles
