FAQs
Which GP Practices will occupy the building once it is completed?
We are currently working with the Partners from Downlands Medical Centre and Manor Park Medical Centre, with a view to both practices taking space in the new facility.
Conversations to date have been to relocate the practices into the new building. However, this is yet to confirmed and patient lists will be consulted as part of the NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board's governance process.
How many doctors is it envisaged will be employed at the site going forward?
We can't comment on the specific number of doctors, however we anticipate that the list size would be able to expand from a current circa 17,000 patients to a possible projected list size of around 22,000-24,000 patients.
How will the operational costs be met? i.e. The operational funding for the day to day running costs after the centre is built?
Once the facility is built, the GPs will be responsible for the internal day-to-day running costs of the building (energy and utilities, cleaning, internal maintenance etc.). Wealden District Council as landlord will be responsible for any external repairs and maintenance.
How are people who do not live in walking distance and rely on public transport expected to get to the site, as it is not on the bus routes?
Through the planning process, formal consultation with East Sussex Highways will ensure that the new development is accessible and well-connected by sustainable transport. As a statutory consultee, the Highways Authority reviews planning applications to assess impacts on the local network and identify opportunities to enhance connectivity.
During the application process, East Sussex Highways may recommend conditions or Section 106 obligations to secure improvements - such as new or upgraded bus stops, real-time passenger information displays, enhanced pedestrian access to bus or rail services, or contributions towards increased bus service frequencies.
Two pedestrian crossings, incorporating refuge islands across the A2270 Eastbourne Road, are proposed north and south of the site access to provide pedestrians with the ability to cross Eastbourne Road to the western footway. These will include tactile paving and dropped kerbs.
As an alternative site, could the old police station sites in the centre of Polegate be used?
We are not aware of this alternative site suggestion, however the chosen site has been granted outline planning approval which confirms its suitability for the medical centre to be delivered on this site.
Where will the access road to the site be?
The development will be accessed from Eastbourne Road via a ghost island T junction 90m north of the Broad Road junction. The delivery of the main access road into the wider development is being completed by the residential developer. Within the residential estate there will be another T junction into the Medical Centre site.
Does the height of the building exceed the height of the houses?
Due to the nature and use of the building the floor heights need to be greater than that found in a typical house. The medical centre has three stories as opposed to the traditional two found in the surrounding houses. A flat roof design has been utilised to assist in reducing the height of the building which results in a building marginally higher than some of the pitched roof houses. There are apartment blocks within the site which are 3 storey and combined with their pitched roofs are comparable or taller than the proposed medical centre.
To get a greater understanding of the heights and levels refer to drawing 10067-105A-SITE SECTIONS in the planning application which provides a clear indication of the building heights in relation to its surroundings.
How will water be supplied to the building if there is a water supply shortage?
The statutory water supply provider for the Polegate and Willingdon area is South East Water. As part of the planning process, they are consulted to confirm that there is enough capacity in the local network to supply the proposed medical centre. If any upgrades or new connections are needed, these will be managed through South East Water’s standard connection process after planning approval.