Quinn Estates given green light for Thanet Health Campus

The planning committee at Thanet District Council has voted unanimously to give outline planning permission for Thanet Health Campus.

Put forward by Canterbury developers Quinn Estates, the plans were praised for being ‘superbly put together’ and ‘well thought out’, delivering ‘multiple benefits’ to the local community.

Thanet Health Campus will include up to 9,253 sq m of commercial floorspace, as well as a range of primary care-based services in purpose-built new premises.

Other elements of the scheme include an 80-bed care home, a 70-flat extra care facility and a children’s nursery.

Mark Quinn, CEO and chair of Quinn Estates, said: “We’re excited to gain planning permission for Thanet Health Campus, which marks our first development in Thanet.

“Not only will this be an exemplary health campus which will enhance the healthcare provision for local people, it also represents significant employment opportunities.

“Alongside the jobs created by the medical campus, there’ll also be a significant boost in employment from the commercial element of the scheme.

“We’re extremely proud that the scheme is 100 per cent affordable housing, including an extra care facility for the most vulnerable members of the community.

“Quinn Estates is looking forward to bringing forward this project and making a real difference to the people of Thanet.”

Meanwhile, plans to move The Grange Practice from its existing site in Ramsgate to a new, larger purpose-built building at the health campus site off New Haine Road near Westwood Cross will help to boost the area’s primary health provision.

Julie Hill, practice manager for The Grange Practice, added: “We’re absolutely delighted by the decision to approve the campus.

“Our primary problem as a surgery currently is that we have simply run out of space to serve the needs of our patients and ensure we continue to be able to care for an increasing population.

“We’ll be able to employ more GPs and nurses as well as expanding our community clinical team, ultrasound and dermatology services to reduce waiting times.

“Co-location with the other health users on the campus will also offer a fantastic opportunity for joint work and a more integrated population health approach for patients.”

This decision follows the submission of an outline planning application in December 2023 for the entire New Haine Road site.

A detailed planning application for the new medical centre is expected to be submitted later this year.