Primary Health Properties PLC (PHP) announced that it has signed agreements for its first Net Zero Carbon (NZC) direct development, a new purpose-built facility in Eastergate, West Sussex, with a gross development value of £6.7 million. NZC will be achieved by measuring, minimising and offsetting embodied carbon from materials used during construction as well as enabling occupiers to operate the building with NZC emissions. The building is expected to deliver high levels of health and wellbeing and achieve BREEAM Excellent standards and an EPC rating of A, with low levels of waste and water usage, and the use of responsibly sourced and sustainable materials.

The centre will showcase the breadth of medical services available to patients and the wider Primary Care Network which characterise PHP's modern healthcare facilities. These services will include general practice (physical, telephone, video and minor operations), physiotherapy, mental and occupational health, social prescribing, care co-ordination, clinical pharmacy and training for GPs, nurses and paramedics. The site has been identified in line with PHP's strategy of addressing the increasing demand for services in an area following major local population growth and the transfer of services away from the overburdened local hospital setting.

The development is pre-let to both a GP practice and the local pharmacy for a 25-year term. This transaction will increase PHP's portfolio to a total of 523 assets, of which 20 are in Ireland, with a contracted rent roll of over £141 million. Work is expected to commence imminently with practical completion expected in the second quarter of 2023.