Home / Health / Bridgwater Academy: Bats Get New Home for Health Skills
Bridgwater Academy: Bats Get New Home for Health Skills
14 Sep
Summary
- Health training academy planned for former hospital site.
- Funding of £19.7m awarded for facility in January 2023.
- Gatehouse attic to be converted into a bat sanctuary.
Work on a new health and social care training academy in Bridgwater is anticipated to commence before the end of the year. This development follows the recent approval of essential bat mitigation measures by local councillors, clearing the way for construction to proceed.
The project, situated at the former community hospital site on Salmon Parade, secured approximately £19.7m in funding from the levelling up fund in January 2023. This significant investment aims to create a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to training.
Before the conversion of the site could begin, specific bat mitigation works were required. These works will transform the gatehouse attic into a dedicated loft space, providing a suitable habitat for the local bat population. The Somerset NHS Foundation Trust expects to deliver up to 3,000 training sessions annually through this new academy.
