A proposed “Living Well Hub” in Warrington town centre at the borough council’s former contact centre will include the creation of a rooftop garden area.
Plans have now been submitted for the Change of use from former Local Authority ‘One Stop Shop’ into a ‘Living Well Hub’ with a rooftop extension and rooftop garden area.
The plans have been submitted by Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with the aim of creating a health and wellbeing hub in the empty Contact Centre on Horsemarket Street, which opened in 2007 but closed when the new council office opened in Time Square.
The £3.1million scheme is part of the £22 million Government Town Deal programme, with the overall aim being to improve the health and wellbeing of children, families and older residents. Healthwatch Warrington asked residents for their input into the design of the hub as part of their Virtual Voices initiative.
It is proposed that the existing building remains as is from the front elevation with an internal refurbishment changing its current use into a Living Well Hub, whilst part of the lower-level flat roof area to the rear is extended to form a larger second-floor accommodation layout. The remaining lower-level roof will be developed into an external rooftop garden
Internally the existing floor levels will be stripped out and remodelled to suit its new function, no alterations will take place externally nor will there be any replacement windows along the front.
The proposed works will split the building into three different functions:
– Ground floor: public services for drop-in and regular daily functions such as internet use, group room, conversation pods/services, washing and cleaning functions for homelessness, early medical assessment/intervention/advice, social function via café services.
– First floor: arranged services for interviews, assessments and consultations.
– Second floor: staff only access for kitchen, group rooms and staff offices. Rooftop garden access for all but accessed by public through lift only.
The Rooftop Garden will be set out with low-level bench seating and new glazed guarding set against the existing parapet roof edge, with two medium size trees in their own planters being visible from the street scene to the rear.
Clinical waste will be produced by the proposed new use and a dedicated, secure location for this has been proposed to the rear elevation.
Parking is limited due to its town centre location however the applicants say there is ample public transport available and users will be encouraged to utilise this rather than drive to the building to use its services. Staff parking is limited to the rear but again employees would be encouraged to use public transport where possible.
Should users/staff wish to use a car then parking is available throughout the town centre via both private and local authority car parks.
The key impacts of the hub, which will operate over three floors, will be a reduced future demand for emergency admissions to hospital and reduced time spent in hospital for those requiring admission in future.
