Plans submitted to turn Bridgwater Community Hospital into hotel

Salmon Parade Developments has applied to revamp the former Bridgwater Community Hospital on Salmon Parade, which closed its doors in 2014 after around 200 years of service to the community.

The Wells-based developer is hoping to breathe new life into the venue, which has been on the market since 2018, with a comprehensive redevelopment.

Sedgemoor District Council is expected to decide whether the plans can proceed by the late-spring.

The site lies on the eastern bank of the River Parrett in the town centre, a short distance from the recently-completed Mercure hotel and the busy A38 Broadway.

Parts of the complex date back to 1813, with the hospital eventually closing in 2014 following the opening of its £33M replacement facility on Bower Lane.

Under the proposals, the existing buildings on Salmon Parade (including the former dental surgery) will be converted into a 92-bed hotel, with a restaurant located on the ground floor.

Much of the historic character of the hospital building will be retained, given that much of the property is grade two listed.

On the south-eastern side, facing onto Broadway, a three-storey gym and health club will be created – the appearance of which, the developer believes, would complement the nearby hotel.

A further 17 car parking spaces will be created on-site (bringing the total to 57), as well as 30 cycle spaces and three disabled parking spaces, with access being maintained from Salmon Parade.

A spokesman for Hill Reading Architects (representing the applicant) said: “The scheme will form a significant part of the Eastover Triangle, as well as providing significant benefits to Bridgwater and the surrounding area.

“This is a sustainable location with existing public transport networks in place, and it will provide a harmonious link between the existing listed building and the new buildings to the rear of the site.

“The scale and massing of the new development will integrate and form a strong relationship with the established historic town centre character.

“It provides a healthy mix of uses which are mutually supportive to each other… [and] meets an identified shortage of high-quality visitor accommodation in Bridgwater and the district as a whole.”

The new development is expected to create up to five full-time and ten part-time jobs.

The council is expected to make a decision on the plans in the late-spring. It is not currently clear whether the decision will be taken in public by the council’s development committee or through the delegated powers of its planning officers.