Project Genesis has begun a £4m programme of enabling and remediation works at the site of the new Shotley Bridge Hospital in County Durham, preparing the former Consett Steelworks site for construction.
The work began on Monday 7 September following the completion of contractual arrangements between County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust and Project Genesis.
The Trust commissioned Project Genesis to carry out the enabling groundworks, with the contract valued at £4.05m excluding VAT.
The works are intended to prepare the site for the construction of the new hospital.
Project Genesis is a local, not-for-profit community trust that buys and cleans up old industrial land in Consett to build public facilities, parks, and homes for the area.
After signing the contract on 1 July, the developer is now carrying out the enabling groundworks, with the contract valued at £4.05m excluding VAT.
The 12-month programme will include remediation and stabilisation of the land, alongside infrastructure works needed to support the future hospital development.
Project Genesis has previously said the works will include grouting and compaction of the site, a new access junction from the A692, utilities connections and other site infrastructure.
The work is expected to continue for up to 12 months, with the site due to be prepared for the next stage of the project in 2027.
Subject to final approvals, construction of the new hospital is expected to begin in mid-2027.
Alongside the site works, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is continuing to develop its Final Business Case, which is due to be submitted to NHS England in early 2027.
“Today's work marks the beginning of preparing the site for construction and follows years of planning and development,” said Matt Graham, Acting COO at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.
While there are still approvals to be secured, we remain on track and continue to work closely with our partners to move the project forward.
The new hospital is being developed at the Derwent View site and will replace Shotley Bridge Community Hospital.
The larger hospital replacement
The Shotley Bridge Community Hospital scheme is part of the government's New Hospital Programme and was confirmed as a Wave 1 project.
Tilbury Douglas has been assigned the contractor for the full build of the new Shotley Bridge Hospital.
The hospital replacement was designed by specialist healthcare architects Medical Architecture.
The project received planning approval from Durham’s strategic planning committee in March 2023.
The latest government annual report lists the scheme as continuing through Outline Business Case development during 2025-26.
The new facility will bring together a range of healthcare services in a purpose-built setting serving communities across North West Durham.
Project Genesis has been involved in the development of the Derwent View site and secured planning permission for the new hospital.
The current enabling works are separate from the main hospital construction phase.
Once the site preparation is complete and the remaining approvals are secured, the Trust expects the main construction works to begin in 2027.
Further updates are expected as the project progresses through its business case and approval stages.
