Building Better Health Announced As Preferred Bidder For New Cross Gate Development
August 6th, 2009
Developer Building Better Health has today been announced as the preferred bidder for the £35 million New Cross Gate development, a vital regeneration scheme that almost risked being put on hold as a result of the economic downturn.
A landmark development, it has been awarded by the New Cross Gate Trust on behalf of New Cross Gate New Deal for Communities (NDC), the area based regeneration partnership. Once completed, it will be home to a new health centre, a pharmacy, fitness facility, library, cafe, internet facilities, crèche, community space, retail spaces and 170 residential units.
Designed by architects Fielden Clegg Bradley, the project features in the Mayor of London’s 100 Public Spaces programme. Following a rigorous tender process, Building Better Health demonstrated it had the ability to successfully deliver a scheme that holds considerable community importance.
Building Better Health is renowned for its work on health schemes. The company is the private sector partner in three NHS LIFT schemes across the capital and has a track record of delivering imaginative and forward thinking schemes. Unlike many LIFT developers, however, Building Better Health is keen to integrate other community services into its schemes, an initiative that is widely supported.
The New Cross Gate development will be Building Better Health’s largest non NHS LIFT project, demonstrating the company's ability to innovate and deliver a wide range of community regeneration projects.
Clive Wilson, Chief Executive of the NDC commented, '”This is a very important appointment for the Trust. The NDC Centre will provide the main physical and social legacy for the New Cross Gate NDC programme. Due to the economic downturn in the housing market it had looked like the plans for a new town centre development would have to have been put on hold. However, Building Better Health has come up with an imaginative proposal which will enable the delivery of the scheme, in many ways improved on our original concept. Building Better Health has a great track record in creative approaches, commitment to excellent design and working in partnership with local communities. We are really pleased they are going to be our partner in creating lasting change for the area.'
A key feature of Building Better Health’s bid was the emphasis the company put on the importance of community involvement. With its a private sector developer experience combined with its public sector understanding, commitment and operational ethos, it provided the perfect balance to deliver the New Cross gate development.
Building Better Health’s aim for the scheme is to make the New Cross Gate development a sustainable social enterprise so it can offer quality services after funding finishes and in turn provide a long term solution with services that are needed by the local community.
