Ambitions for a new, bigger GP surgery and health centre in Bracknell town centre have been revived – almost four years after previous plans fell through.

The NHS Frimley Integrated Health Board has submitted plans to build a new three-storey GP surgery at Skimped Hill Health Centre.

Designs submitted to Bracknell Forest Council promise ‘modern, purpose-built facilities'. The proposal reads: “The positive impact of the building on the morale and efficiency of the staff will translate into further benefits for those who are treated there.”

The new centre will house consultant, treatment and interview rooms, and a phlebotomy room – a place where blood is taken. Parking at the site will remain unchanged.

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The new three-storey building will be built next to the existing Skimped Hill Health Centre, which will become used for mostly administrative purposes.

A previous scheme to build a major NHS facility at Skimped Hill – known as Bracknell HealthSpace – fell through in 2020.

It would have included a wide range of services, such as GP surgeries, physiotherapy, some urgent care facilities, dental appointments, mental health services and much more.

Bracknell Forest Councillors approved those plans in 2011. But developers Ashley House PLC never completed an agreement with Bracknell Forest Council to contribute money towards local services and infrastructure.

This is a standard part of planning permission known as a Section 106 agreement, which has to be signed before permission is granted in full. With no agreement signed, Bracknell Forest Council withdrew the application in October 2020 rather than refuse it.