PLANS to demolish part of the landmark former Bridgwater Hospital – as part of a scheme to create a health and care academy – have been submitted.

The historic site, at Salmon Parade, is grade II-listed but a planning application seeks to demolish later additions to the building as part of the redevelopment project.

When complete, it is hoped the Somerset Training Academy will provide courses at the new health and care academy for the NHS, local authorities, voluntary and private care providers.

Funding for the scheme, a joint venture between Somerset Council, Somerset NHS and the Somerset Integrated Care Board, came from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

Outlining the proposals, Avalon Planning & Heritage said the hospital site had lain empty since 2014, when the new Bridgwater Community Hospital was built.

The old Bridgwater Hospital building has lain empty since 2014. Picture: Google

“Over the last 10 years, it has been subject to substantial neglect, vandalism and water damage, which has impacted severely on the condition of the building, which includes the front listing wings facing on to Salmon Parade and the projecting wings to the rear,” the plans said.

“Despite numerous attempts to sell the building, this has not been successful, mainly due to the financial viability of the proposed schemes.”

If approved, the plans would see all three of the rear wings of the building demolished, to be replaced with a new block to the rear, including a new foyer.

READ MORE: Bridgwater news from your Somerset Leveller

“The ground floor of the proposed refurbished and new build is to contain office, training and learning facilities, as well as a childcare centre within the north-east wing,” the application went on.

“A central event space is provided which provides active links to all other areas of the storey.

“First and second floors continue the same use classes with a feature balcony arrangement at first floor, overlooking the event space below.

“A centralised plant space is provided above the north wing at second floor level. The plant area is arranged as an internal enclosure however also includes external plant space and provides access to the roof over the central atrium space.”

How the new training academy could look. Picture: KTA/Somerset Council

“The existing gatehouse adjacent to the entrance of the site from Salmon Parade will be retained and re-purposed to provide ecological mitigation for protected bat species that are evident on site.

“The existing car parking will be resurfaced and enlarged to provide 25 parking spaces, three of which would be reserved for electric vehicle (EV) charging purposes (a further two spaces would have ducting provided for future EV use), a further three would be allocated for blue badge holders.

“A bicycle shelter will be provided to house 14 cycles, Sheffield stands will be provided to accommodate a further 16 cycles to provide a total on site provision for 30 cycles.

“The remainder of the site will be landscaped in a sensitive manner for users of the health and care buildings, together with an outside space for the early years unit on site.”

For more details on the plans, and to comment, log on to somerset.gov.uk and search application reference 08/25/00184.

The Grade II-listed frontage on to Salmon Parade would be preserved under the plans. Picture: KTA/Somerset Council