Funding likely for Cranbrook health campus

It will come from house developers

An East Devon town is likely to get £3 million in cash from housebuilder contributions towards its health campus.

Cranbrook is hoping to get the money, which has been secured from developers who have to make cash payments towards community facilities and services, for its leisure and wellbeing campus.

The decision to part with the cash will be heard by Devon County Council’s cabinet, which meets next week (Wednesday 8 October). 

The provision of health and wellbeing services is seen as particularly important for Cranbrook, given its distinct population profile compared to the rest of the county.

It has just 3.4 per cent of its roughly 20,000 residents who are aged 65 and over, and nearly a third (30 per cent) aged 0-5.

“This differs markedly from other towns, none of which have more than 18.5 per cent in this younger age range,” a report prepared for the cabinet states.

“Whilst the population age profile is projected to get slightly older over time, it is still expected to retain a very young demographic structure.

“Health and wellbeing needs in Cranbrook reflect a younger population profile, with key areas of concern including mental health and wellbeing, financial pressures, self-harm, smoking, substance misuse, sexual and reproductive health, and child health.

“The data specially shows that Cranbrook has higher rates of emergency admissions for under-fives, higher rates of emergency admissions for injuries in children and young people and higher rates for self-harm.”

The £3 million came from the original 2010 outline planning permission for Cranbrook, which required the developers to contribute towards county council facilities in the town centre, including children’s, youth and library facilities, with payments to be made to Devon County Council (DCC) and land provided to support the delivery of these facilities.

East Devon District Council’s (EDDC) cabinet is due to meet at the end of October to set the scope for the project that the £3 million will help fund.

The proposals include ideas around community space with a focus on supporting vulnerable children and families, primarily through statutory public health nursing services, which deliver essential early support to children and young people who are at risk of poor outcomes.

Space could potentially also be used for other services that support children’s services, i.e. a Children’s Contact
Centre, which could provide a safe, neutral environment for families away from conflict situations.

EDDC is proposing to deliver a leisure building in Cranbrook town centre as part of the Cranbrook Leisure, Health and Wellbeing Campus, which will also include a separate neighbourhood health centre.

It is recommended that the county council’s community space is provided within the Cranbrook leisure building.