More than 300 villagers turned out for a glimpse of the proposed design for the Mayfield Community and Health Centre.
The design was unveiled to residents of the two villages at a recent event at the existing Memorial Hall in Mayfield.
The information event was hosted by Mayfield and Five Ashes Parish Council, with councillors on hand to discuss the project, alongside a representative from Wealden District Council, the project architects from Roberts Limbrick Architects and Dr Richard Baxter from the local GP practice, Woodhill Surgery.
Plans for the building were on display along with a ‘fly-through’ video illustrating how the completed building will look both internally and externally.
The new building is to be sustainably-constructed to a BREEAM – the world’s first sustainability rating scheme for the built environment – excellent standard.
Undertaken in joint partnership between Wealden District Council and Mayfield and Five Ashes Parish Council, the project combines a dedicated community facility with an integral health centre to better serve the community.
The centre will occupy the existing, developed two acres site on top of Court Meadow, Mayfield, on land owned by the parish council.
In wholly funding the health centre part of the project, and renting it with the support of the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group to Woodhill Surgery, Wealden District Council is facilitating the provision of the modern, purpose-built medical centre, three times the size of Woodhill’s current Mayfield surgery.
Bob Standley, leader of Wealden council, said, “This is an exciting project that will enhance both the medical facilities and provide a new community hall. This has only been possible by the Mayfield and Five Ashes Parish Council and Wealden District Council working closely together.”
Dr Baxter attended the event on behalf of Woodhill Surgery to talk about the plans and highlight the need for a larger and better equipped practice.
He said, “These plans are really exciting. Our current surgery isn’t fit for purpose and the new medical centre will give us the opportunity to provide a top quality service for the people of Mayfield and Five Ashes and for their children and grandchildren.”
In replacing the existing Memorial Hall, the new multi-purpose community hall – funded by the parish council – will provide a social hub for the parish in support of the recreation and well-being activities of the whole community.
Overlooking magnificent views from Court Meadow, it will include a versatile 23m x 10m hall, offices, meeting rooms and a large ‘free’ community hub area where anyone can informally meet or socialise. The existing number of car parking spaces will be increased by 50%.
Gill Weavers, the chairman of Mayfield and Five Ashes Parish Council, said, “Our commitment to deliver the new Community and Health Centre to our residents was rewarded last week when the design was received with enormous positivity and enthusiasm at our open morning. We now move forward towards its completion in 2023.”
