St James neighbourhood on course for new medical centre

A purpose-built facility within Walthamstow’s Jazz Yard development is well on track for a state-of-the-art new medical centre following a landmark financial package agreement between Waltham Forest Council, NHS Property Services and North East London ICB (Integrated Care Board). 

Persistent efforts on the part of Waltham Forest Council have successfully unlocked the latest phase in a process that will allow the internal works to the facility to commence. On completion the Firs Medical Centre and the former St James Medical Centre relocated in the single, new, building nearby. 

Cllr Grace Williams, Leader of Waltham Forest Council, said:

Following years of hard-fought progress, I am so pleased that we can now announce the NHS and the council have agreed a financial package to complete the new St James Medical Centre.  

Waltham Forest Council built this facility on behalf of the NHS in the Jazz Yard Development in 2023 and has been working hard to get the NHS to agree the lease and fit out the centre. I am pleased that we are now able to confirm our offer of a council-owned space at Jazz Yard to allow the local NHS to complete this project, and we look forward to the new facility opening to the public. The Jazz Yard development will provide St James residents with access to the high-quality health and GP services they deserve, located in the heart of their community.

As well as providing a purpose-built venue for the new health facility, the Jazz Yard mixed-use development has already provided 83 new homes, of which 50 per cent are affordable. There will be a rooftop podium and communal garden, a children’s play area, and cycle storage.  

The council development is a few minutes' walk from St James Street and Walthamstow Central Stations, providing quick and easy travel connections to the north and south of Walthamstow and good links to Central London.