Developer could ditch plan to replace Willow House surgery

Heath Hill Student Developments said there would be a replacement for Willow House surgery - known as The Willows -  which was torn down amid protests from patients.

The company was granted permission for a 24-bed development on the site on Heath Hill Avenue, Bevendean, following an appeal.

At the time, planning inspector Stephen Papworth said that a proposed new surgery had given “significant weight” to the appeal.

However, health chiefs have indicated that they have no plans to commission a new surgery at or near the site.

Protests outside Willow House surgery shortly before it closed

Health Hill Student Developments has since run into financial trouble and went into receivership just over a year ago.

The receivers, Alistair Wright and Simon Hunt, from Savills, have applied to Brighton and Hove City Council for a “deed of variation”.

They want the requirement to include a surgery to be lifted.

They are due to find out next week whether councillors support their requests at a planning committee meeting.

Neighbours are understood to have concerns about noise and anti-social behaviour in student properties in the area, with a Halloween party in nearby Norwich Drive halted by the police in the autumn.

READ MORE: Halloween hell as police respond to screaming teens and partying students

A report to the committee said: “A letter from the clinical commissioning group (CCG) has been provided which indicates that the closure of the surgery has not resulted in a dispersal pressures as this area of the city is well serviced by GP practices and branch surgeries.

“Furthermore, the CCG letter confirms that there is no demand for an additional surgery at this site and there are no plans to commission additional health services in the vicinity of the site.

“Given the fact that the surgery has been demolished for over four years with no harmful impact of the surrounding area, the removal of the requirement for a temporary replacement surgery is considered acceptable.”

Patients battled to keep Willow House surgery open but it was closed in 2016 and torn down shortly afterwards.

How Willow House looked before it was demolished

The new application also calls for a less restrictive deal over where students are studying and who can manage the proposed block.

Heath Hill Student Developments was required to enter into a management agreement with either the University of Brighton or Sussex University.

Both have since started building thousands of student bedrooms themselves and have told Heath Hill Student Developments that they were not looking to engage with private providers at the moment.

In addition, The University of Brighton's Preston Barracks project, in Lewes Road, is expected to include space for two doctors’ surgeries.

READ MORE: One of the city's biggest construction projects is still on track despite Covid

The new health centre is planned to include 13 consulting and treatment rooms and a pharmacy.

The report also said: “The developer also seeks to remove the restrictions of occupation and management of the student accommodation to the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex.

“The developer’s covering letter states that the wording allows for limited flexibility and does not take account of other education establishments within the city.

“The developer has also provided letters from both the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex, both of which indicate that neither university would currently be looking take on this site.”

The Willows site as it currently looks

The application refers to the council’s own figures saying that there remains a shortage of purpose-built student housing.

Officials support the request are due to give a verdict next Wednesday.