Major plans to build a new hospital and Aldi supermarket at Estuary View business park in Whitstable to be unveiled next week
Published: 10:04, 09 October 2014
Plans to build a new hospital, nursing home and Aldi supermarket at Estuary View business park will be unveiled next week.
Developer George Wilson says a public exhibition will take place on Monday with proposals to redevelop a seven and a half acre site.
Proposals will include a hospital, care village and three retail units - one of which he confirmed as an Aldi.
The German chain was previously linked with a move to Gladstone Road and declined to rule out a move to Whitstable when asked.
Mr Wilson said: "The proposals are the latest phase of our successful series of commercial and health care developments at Estuary View and Chaucer Business Park.
"We are very pleased to be continuing the successful collaboration with Whitstable Medical Practice, in adding further facilities to the successful medical centre at Estuary View.
The development comes after Estuary View medical centre was announced as the sixth outpatient clinic following a health consultation.
Thousands more patients are expected to travel to Whitstable after the number of clinics was reduced from 15 to six.
Dr John Ribchester, of the Whitstable Medical Practice, added: "Our successful bid to host the enhanced East Kent Hospitals outpatient clinic is the next phase of our new health care proposals, to be provided at our exisiting medical centre.
"We now propose to support the development of three new buildings, making local health and social care facilities fit for the future of our expanding Whitstable community.
"Firstly a new community hospital, serving mainly elderly patients, including those requiring step down care, medical care, post operative care and those requiring ongoing therapies and also care for patients nearing the end of their lives.
"In addition, we are supporting a proposal for a teaching nursing home at the site, for those patients not well enough to return home.
"Lastly we would like to see an extra care facility at the site. This will provide a number of one and two bedroom for people whose frailty means they require sheltered accommodation."
Hugh Caseley of Kimberley Developments added: "We are delighted that Aldi have agreed terms for a new retail unit, and a second, smaller food and convenience unit will be occupied by a "high end" retailer."
Also included in the commercial development is a car dealership.
The exhibition will take place between 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Monday at the Seasalter Christian Centre in Faversham Road.