Plans revealed to demolish Portsmouth university building as part of sport scheme and move GP surgery to Commercial Road

Student services, including a GP surgery, will be moved out of the Nuffield Centre on St Michael’s Road, which has been earmarked for demolition.

A new student centre would be provided in the Students' Union building on Cambridge Road whilst a planning application has been submitted to move the The University Surgery into the former Miss Selfridge Unit in Commercial Road.

A University of Portsmouth spokesman told The News: ‘The university is investing £400m over 10 years into its campus and Portsmouth.

‘As part of this estate masterplan, the Nuffield Centre is earmarked for demolition subject to the re-provision of student services within a new student centre in the Students’ Union building on Cambridge Road.

‘It is planned to build a new academic building on the Nuffield site which would potentially include new teaching and research space for the School of Sport, Health and Exercise Science.

‘The University of Portsmouth is currently building a new sports centre adjacent to Ravelin Park which will include a 25m eight-lane swimming pool, eight-court sports hall, fitness suite, climbing wall, squash courts and a ski simulator. This new facility will open next year to the public, students and University staff.’

If the plan goes ahead, the Nuffield Centre would not be demolished before 2022/23 at the earliest.

The proposal for surgery, provided by Dr Alalade and Dr Klemenz for nearly 21,000 patients, means primary care services can be expanded and more patients accommodated.

The three-storey building in Commercial Road has been vacant since 2017 and the plans include building a ‘penthouse’ addition to the top floor.

A UOP spokesman added: ‘In the immediate term, we have been and will continue to work with the Students’ Union and the NHS on ensuring that the health needs of our students can continue to be met throughout and beyond the transition.

It is hoped the move would also increase employment opportunities within the city centre, reduce the amount of vacant units in the street and increase visitor footfall.

Ward councillor Cal Corkery said: ‘I think any expansion of healthcare is something to be welcomed and in the Charles Dickens ward there is a high social need for care.

‘My questions are around that this surgery is mainly for the student population who have certain medical needs but I would want to understand further how the surgery will be used by other residents.

‘I also have a question mark over access as it is in the middle of a shopping street and therefore not close to disabled parking so I would want to know more about the accessibility for everyone.’