The Blackbrook Business Park in Taunton, near junction 25 of the motorway, is currently home to several health facilities – including the Taunton diagnostic centre, Lakeside Dental Practice and Confident Orthodontics.

Summerfield Developments, which is based in the town, announced on Monday (October 6) that it was marketing the final undeveloped plot within the business park, describing it as “a prime opportunity” to deliver further healthcare services within the Taunton area.

But the NHS Somerset integrated care board (ICB) has said it has no immediate intentions to deliver NHS services on this site, stating that no discussions with the developer had taken place.

The 1.9-acre site in question lies opposite the Taunton diagnostic centre, which has been run by Alliance Healthcare since 2022 and offers a range of services for both NHS and private patients.

The land is bordered by the motorway to the east and by the Blackbrook Leisure Centre and Spa to the south (the latter being accessed through a public footpath onto Blackbrook Way).

Ben Trickey, commercial director for Summerfield Developments, said: “Blackbrook Business Park presents a prime opportunity for a healthcare or medical operator looking to establish a purpose-built facility in one of the south west’s most accessible and well-connected locations.

“With major healthcare organisations already nearby, it’s an ideal environment for clinics, diagnostics or specialist providers looking to serve Taunton and the wider region.”

NHS Somerset brings together the various parts of Somerset’s health services, making decisions on how and where key services are commissioned – including the provision of new dental practices and doctors’ surgeries.

The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has begun piloting “neighbourhood health services” (or ‘health hubs’) which will see more NHS services delivered under one roof in local communities – though Somerset was not one of 43 areas included in the pilot announced in mid-September.

NHS Somerset it had no immediate plans to deliver a health hub or any health facility at this proposed location.

A spokesperson said: “We are unaware of any discussions being held with Summerfield Developments, or any proposal for a healthcare facility to be developed on this piece of land.”