NHS Northamptonshire, West Northamptonshire Council & Partners

Overview

In June 2021, additional funding from the One Public Estate programme saw Laura collaborate with Continuum Leisure and Hawkins Brown to conduct a feasibility study for a Health & Wellbeing Hub in Weston Favell.

The Hub aimed to transform one of Northamptonshire’s most deprived wards by consolidating key public services into a modern facility, replacing outdated 1970s buildings, and unlocking 1.2 hectares of land for up to 85 affordable homes.

Laura engaged with 36 stakeholders, including representatives from West Northamptonshire Council, a range of NHS organisations, the University of Northampton, Connected Together CIC and Sport England, to determine future service needs, project viability, and funding/occupational logistics.

As a result, a 10,500 sq m (GIA) public estate requirement was identified. Given the significant cost of delivering a facility of that scale, different delivery models were explored, including the Council acting as landlord to its partner occupiers. Financial modelling revealed that the overall cost of the Hub project would be more expensive than the ‘status quo’ because of the significant upfront capital costs. However, a new Hub would deliver high quality public estate fit for the future with an asset lifespan far exceeding that of the present situation.

The findings of the study informed the Council’s bid for support from the Government’s £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund.