Decision on health hub "in days"

Plans for a new health and wellbeing hub in Newtown are entering a critical stage, as key decisions on the project are due to be taken in the coming days. 

The proposed hub, to be built on the site of the former Y Parc offices,  would bring together a wide range of services in a modern, purpose-built facility. According to the health board, the plans include “one stop shop” health and wellbeing services, expanded community dental provision, and specialist clinics for people with long-term conditions, reducing the need for many residents to travel out of county to larger district general hospitals.  

In addition to clinical services, the hub is expected to offer training facilities to help recruit and retain health and social care staff, reflecting a broader ambition to support the future workforce in Powys. 

The new facility is also being positioned as a first phase, a “stepping stone", towards more ambitious plans for a replacement hospital in Newtown that would include expanded diagnostic and treatment services locally. 

Recent engagement events, involving residents, service users, staff and partner organisations, have informed updates to the proposals. As the county’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for the programme said: “This has been a valuable opportunity to hear a wide range of views from people who will use these new services, and from local residents. For example, we have heard a wide range of helpful feedback about the location of the new facility. This feedback has helped us to review and test the proposals so that we make the best decisions both for today and for future generations.” 

The health board’s Director of Improvement and Transformation, Ms Lucie Cornish, said the hub responded to strong public demand for more joined-up services.

“A key theme we have heard during our engagement is that people want health and wellbeing services to be more joined up. These plans would achieve this by bringing more health board and council services together under one roof. 

This will improve the services offered to our residents and patients through closer working relationships in a purpose-built building, as part of the most ambitious project of its kind that we have seen in Powys.” 

Local politician Russell George welcomed the latest development but stressed that the community still expects faster progress. “This is an important step in the building of a new hospital and health hub in Newtown,” he said. 

“Whilst I am pleased that all organisations continue to commit their support to the project and the new build facility, I am disappointed with the pace of progress. The project is now planned to be delivered in several phased stages, rather than in one phase, with the new facilities and build taking much longer than originally anticipated. Along with other campaigners, I will continue to press the Welsh Government to keep to their commitment and approve the full scheme.”

If the revised plan is approved, the next steps are largely defined: the updated “Outline Business Case” will be considered by the county’s Health and Care Scrutiny Committee before going to the full Cabinet and the Powys Teaching Health Board on 16 December 2025. If approved, the Outline Business Case will be submitted to the Welsh Government by the end of December. 

Assuming consent is secured, the planning application would follow during 2026/27, with development of a full business case. Construction would begin in 2027/28 — with the aim of seeing the new hub completed and operational by 2028/29. 

Once open, the hub is expected to provide a broad spectrum of services, including expanded community dental care; local primary care and specialist clinics for long-term conditions; a training centre for health and social care staff; a base for children’s services (such as health visiting), integrated mental health services for children, young people and adults — with plans for a sensory garden courtyard; multi-use spaces for wellbeing, community and voluntary-sector activities (such as yoga, financial advice or social support); space for the Newtown Integrated Family Centre; and even a new public library and academic library to support training residents.

Officials describe the hub as “one of the most ambitious projects of its kind that we have seen in Powys.” 

While supporters are hopeful, there is a sense of urgency among campaigners and members of the community for the project to move swiftly, particularly given the growing demand for health and wellbeing services locally and the long history of planning delays. As Russell George emphasised, many people are watching closely to see that commitments lead to concrete action.

For now, all eyes are on the upcoming Scrutiny Committee, Cabinet and Health Board meetings, with the Outline Business Case and revised proposals expected to set the tone for the hub’s future.