Detailed plans for a new medical centre at Elm Grove in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, have been published, marking a major step toward replacing the town’s ageing Walton-on-Thames Community Hospital. The proposed Neighbourhood Health Hub — plans for which were published in January 2026 — is designed to bring several different medical services together in one modern building to better serve local residents.
Elmbridge Borough Council (EBC) shared the new planning material in mid-January 2026 following earlier discussions about the future use of the land. The council is working with the NHS North West Surrey Alliance and development partner Prime plc to create a facility intended to increase local capacity compared with the current hospital.
Elmbridge Borough Council says the new building will allow the existing 13 services to be significantly expanded and to operate in purpose-designed patient-care facilities using up-to-date technology. The council’s materials note specific capacity increases — for example, rising from 19 GP practice rooms to 26 — and say the hub aims to provide more care locally so fewer people need to travel to larger hospitals for routine appointments.
Reports say the project has proved controversial because it could mean the loss of the 103-year-old Walton-on-Thames Bowling Club. Some local campaigners and petition organisers have argued the hub should be created by extending the existing hospital rather than using the bowling green; council leaders say they remain in talks with the club about alternative arrangements and have committed to exploring possible financial support or merger options.
As previously reported, the council earlier asked residents to choose between new housing or health facilities for the Elm Grove site during 2024 engagement. With the detailed designs now published, the scheme will move through the formal planning process toward a decision in early 2026; council and reporting sources indicate planning committee consideration is expected in the early months of 2026 (watching briefs suggest February 2026 as the likely period for committee meetings).
