Work on new GP surgery in the city centre is set to begin in March.

Assura plc is working with the NHS to build a new surgery for St Clements practice, and its 15,000 patients, on the current car park on the corner of Friarsgate and Upper Brook Street.

Winchester City Council has been working for more than five years to relocate the current surgery from Tanner Street.

Hampshire Chronicle: Up to date design for St Clement's Surgery in Winchester, February 2022

At the full council meeting on January 18 Cllr Michael Read asked for an update. 
City council leader Martin Tod said: “The pandemic and sharp increase in construction costs have meant that the selected primary healthcare developer Assura had additional hurdles to overcome in preparing for a construction start on site. However, these issues have now been resolved following extensive work in re-designing the internal layout for post-Covid clinical treatment, and structural/external revisions associated with value engineering. 

READ MORE: New GP surgery: Winchester City Council being 'held to ransom'

“Delivery of primary care buildings is fraught with challenges. Over the last two years, Assura have successfully navigated their way through complex negotiations with NHS England, NHS Integrated Care Systems (ICS) (former CCG’s), and the District Valuer. As a result, the scheme meets all stakeholder requirements operationally and financially which is a significant achievement in any market but particularly given the challenges of the last two years. Contracts have already been exchanged with Assura for a sale of the Upper Brook Street car park site on a ground lease and completion is anticipated in February with a start on site in March this year.”

Last month the Chronicle reported that Assura had told the council that unless it stumped up £100,000 for work to the public realm the scheme may be in danger.

Cllr Caroline Horrill, Tory group leader, asked: "Are we being held to ransom by the developer (Assura) that if we don't provide the money from the Community Infrastructure Levy fund the development will not go ahead?"

The council agreed to make the payment. It will pay for new pavements and a drop-off point.