Existing Market Square Health Centre becoming 'unfit for purpose'
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According to a letter submitted on behalf of the two GP Practices in Stony to MKC on March 8th "...without a major refurbishment, the space (we) are currently located in is becoming unfit for purpose". The existing building in the Market Square is nearly 40 years old, and its age is beginning to show - some of the doctors, nurses and receptionists find it a depressing place to work, and many patients find it equally dismal. The two practices which occupy the building (Stony Medical Centre and the Stonedean Practice), with a combined total of over 30 staff, would be interested in finding more attractive and spacious premises (and with better provision for staff parking).
A blue chip tenant for the Cofferidge Close Office Block ?
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In the same letter to MKC cited above, Dr Goyal mentions that, having seen the floor plans, the currently empty Office Block would "...be an ideal location to house the two practices. In theory the amount of floor space, car parking spaces available (which far exceed what we currently have), and the proximity to the majority of our patients, makes the Cofferidge Close development the perfect site for a health centre, as well as allied services including pharmacy, physio, alternative therapies etc". The extra space, over and above that available in the Market Square building, would allow for expansion of the Centre's staff and other resources in line with the growth in the local population - and/or it could be used for a new Day Nursery for the town.
Surely such a polyvalent Medical Centre, maybe combined with a Day Nursery, would be a far better option for any landlord, in terms of long-term guaranteed rental income, than a supermarket or a suite of offices?
Surely such a polyvalent Medical Centre, maybe combined with a Day Nursery, would be a far better option for any landlord, in terms of long-term guaranteed rental income, than a supermarket or a suite of offices?
The argument for demolition of the Office Block is demolished!
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The Planning Statement submitted by Barton Willmore for the now rejected application for demolition of much of Cofferidge Close and construction of a foodstore mentions (Para 6.9) that "...it should be noted that the offices are (and have been for some time) vacant with no reasonable prospect of a tenant being found due to the plentiful supply of low rent office space within Central Milton Keynes". This could no longer be used as an argument for demolition of the Office Block - there is now a very reasonable prospect of a tenant being found, if the building was converted into a Medical Centre and leased to the two Stony Stratford GP Practices.
National Australia Bank's Corporate Responsibility Policy
This solution would be very much in line with National Australia Bank's (the owners of the Close) 'Corporate Responsibility' policy, as stated on their website, of "...addressing our broader responsibility to society by supporting communities, (and) managing our environmental impact ...". It's a no-brainer: converting the office block into a Medical Centre and Day Nursery would both support our community, and avoid the negative environmental impact of demolition.
If the National Australia Bank Group is not interested in taking this idea forward themselves, and decides to put Cofferidge Close on the market, then we can:
- explore the option of trying to raise the necessary funds locally, through a community right to buy option,
- make any eventual purchaser aware of the potential long-term value of leasing the converted Office Block to the Stony GP practices.
National Australia Bank's Corporate Responsibility Policy
This solution would be very much in line with National Australia Bank's (the owners of the Close) 'Corporate Responsibility' policy, as stated on their website, of "...addressing our broader responsibility to society by supporting communities, (and) managing our environmental impact ...". It's a no-brainer: converting the office block into a Medical Centre and Day Nursery would both support our community, and avoid the negative environmental impact of demolition.
If the National Australia Bank Group is not interested in taking this idea forward themselves, and decides to put Cofferidge Close on the market, then we can:
- explore the option of trying to raise the necessary funds locally, through a community right to buy option,
- make any eventual purchaser aware of the potential long-term value of leasing the converted Office Block to the Stony GP practices.
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This site has been created and is administered by a group of independent residents of Stony Stratford
This site has been created and is administered by a group of independent residents of Stony Stratford