Town councillors back Newquay Health Centre plans

Newquay Town Councillors have voted to support a planning application to convert part of the roof space at Newquay Health Centre, creating additional clinical rooms to meet growing demand.

The application follows the collapse of earlier proposals to co-locate the town’s two GP surgeries under one roof. Instead, plans now focus on reconfiguring the existing building on St Thomas’ Road. The centre intends to convert the current medical records room in the roof space into office accommodation, allowing administrative staff currently based downstairs to move upstairs.

The proposal also includes installing new roof lights, altering the main entrance to improve disability access and patient flow, and updating the internal layout to create two new consulting rooms.

During a presentation to councillors, Dr Jenny Quigg said the work could enable the practice to offer up to 19,500 additional appointments per year. She noted the population in the Newquay area is expected to grow to around 33,000.

Councillors were told this is seen as the first phase in making the building more suitable for future needs. Some members acknowledged that further long-term solutions may be required as the town continues to expand.

The building’s height and footprint would remain unchanged, but the internal reconfiguration aims to better support the larger team now based at the practice, including paramedics and social prescribers.

The work would take place in two phases, allowing the centre to remain open throughout. The town council’s planning committee has backed the plans, which now await final approval from Cornwall Council.