Entrepreneurs invest in healthcare hub at former factory site

ENTREPRENEURS have secured planning for the first stage of a healthcare hub in Sheffield at the site of a former factory.

Ray Boulger, Julia Leahy and Toria Chan from STEPS Rehabilitation have been granted planning permission for a neurological and orthopaedic rehab and recovery facility.

The centre will be located on the former site of Jacobs Manufacturing Company off Abbeydale Road South. The derelict site has been unused for the last 13 years.

When complete it will create 60 permanent full time jobs.

The purpose-built development will offer 23 beds, a hydrotherapy pool and rehabilitation gym, and is due to be completed by summer 2016.

It is the first phase of a bigger development, which will be a healthcare and retirement hub including a retirement village, doctors’ surgery, pharmacy, an 80-bed nursing care home, dementia care facilities, 31 sheltered apartments for the over 65s and a special needs independent living unit.

Specialist legal work was undertaken by Sheffield law firm Wake Smith. Director Lisa Davison guided STEPS Rehabilitation business to ensure their plans came to fruition.

Lisa Davison, director in the Wake Smith commercial property department, said: “With STEPS being the very first anchor on the site, my work concentrated on putting together the legal framework on the land purchase.

“We also guided STEPS, as a new developer, through the best, and most effective, way to structure the project using a development vehicle.”

Ray Boulger, chairman of STEPS Rehabilitation Ltd, said “Our research has shown a strong need for dedicated rehabilitation services for working aged adults who have suffered neurological trauma.

“We know that if we harness patients’ individual drive and desire and add our commitment and care, we will achieve optimal results. We can offer patients the tools with which to push their own recovery to its pinnacle.”

STEPS secured a substantial grant from the Regional Growth Fund, administered by Sheffield City Council.

Sheffield-based chartered accountants Hawsons also worked with Wake Smith on the project.

Architects on the two-storey, brick and timber built property, which features a green living roof, was Newcastle Upon Tyne based architects Alston Murphy.

Work has begun on demolition of the remaining steelwork on site.