It has been a long-held, shared ambition of the ICB, Bedford Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council, as well as of the commercial partners involved in developing Wixams town centre, to ensure that residents can have improved access to high-quality health services close to home, as soon as possible.

Bedford Borough Council’s executive took a decision in December 2025 which allows the scheme to move to the next stage, approving the allocation of a sum of money to meet the capital funding needed to deliver a healthcare facility in Wixams.  The project will be a partnership approach between Bedford Borough Council, the ICB and the developers of Wixams town centre, Urban&Civic, and is expected to draw upon Section 106 funding secured by Central Bedfordshire Council.

The next steps will involve continuing our work with Urban&Civic, who share our commitment to delivering a new GP facility for the community.  Together, we will progress designs and plans for the health centre, which are expected to come forward for planning consent in the first half of 2026, alongside the development of a full business case between all parties.  Ahead of any planning submission, we intend to work with Urban&Civic and other partners to share information with the local community, providing an opportunity to understand the proposals and ask questions as the plans develop. We will also need to complete agreements between the various partners for the transfer of Section 106 funding from Central Bedfordshire, and carry out an assessment of the ongoing revenue costs of the proposed health centre.

We will continue to keep you informed of the progress being made.