Construction company Stepnell has been appointed to build a major £1.7m two-storey extension at an expanding Aylesbury medical centre.
Construction work has started at the Poplar Grove Medical Centre in Meadow Way. The development will enable the practice to merge with the nearby Broughton House Surgery, with the enlarged practice occupying the extended building.
The redevelopment will help meet the healthcare needs of the growing local population by providing a state-of-the-art building delivering comprehensive primary care services.
The year-long construction programme will create an 842sq m extension housing facilities including 11 consulting rooms, reception and waiting areas, treatment and recovery rooms, a health education room and toilets and changing rooms. Outside, Stepnell will build a new parking area and carry out landscaping work.
Stepnell was awarded the project by primary healthcare property specialist, Primary Health Properties. The scheme is designed by Thomas Wilson Architects.
Materials for the extension will match the existing medical centre which was built by Stepnell’s Wantage-based team in the late 1990s. The construction work will include changes to the ventilation system to cut energy consumption in key areas of the building as well as the installation of photovoltaic panels supplied by EvoEnergy.
Stepnell director, Tom Wakeford, said: “This is an exciting programme of work which will deliver major improvements for the local population, providing a high-quality healthcare environment for staff and patients. Our team has a long track record of working effectively in ‘live’ settings and will use that expertise to ensure minimal disruption during the construction programme.”
The Poplar Grove practice will stay open throughout the redevelopment.