The Wellbeing Square is a major regeneration project in the heart of Newhaven, transforming three previously vacant and underused town-centre buildings into a modern, integrated health and wellbeing destination. Delivered by Buxton Building Contractors for Lewes District Council, the project brings together healthcare, leisure, wellbeing and community services in one connected and easily accessible location, forming an important part of the Council’s wider regeneration of Newhaven town centre. The completed development provides new premises for Quayside Medical Practice and Newhaven Medical Practice, together with an Allcures Pharmacy, expanded facilities for Wave Active and new creative and co-working space. Bringing these services together creates a more joined-up approach to health and wellbeing and provides modern facilities capable of responding to Newhaven’s growing healthcare needs. Buxton’s works involved the extensive refurbishment, alteration and extension of the existing buildings, including significant structural interventions, new structural elements, renewal of the building envelope and a comprehensive internal fit-out. One of the major stages of the project involved substantial works to 10 Newhaven Square beneath a temporary scaffold roof, which was removed in July 2025 once the building had been made watertight and the internal fit-out could progress. The project required careful coordination between retained structures and new construction, while creating physical connections between the different elements of the development. Working within a busy town-centre location also required close collaboration between Buxton, Lewes District Council, the consultant team, healthcare providers, Wave Active, specialist contractors and other stakeholders throughout the works. The new facilities have significantly increased clinical capacity. Quayside Medical Practice provides 15 consulting rooms, with a further eight PCN rooms, while Newhaven Medical Practice provides 11 consulting rooms. The development also includes approximately 580m² of new internal accommodation for Wave Active, including a new reception, gym and two studios, together with refurbishment of existing space within Seahaven Swim and Fitness Centre. Sustainability was an important consideration throughout the scheme. The development achieves BREEAM Very Good, as required by the NHS for refurbished buildings, and incorporates solar photovoltaic panels, two biodiverse green walls, enhanced thermal performance and efficient heating and cooling systems. The completed development is fully electric, with no gas supply. Accessibility has also been central to the design, with step-free access throughout the buildings, passenger lifts between levels and a new Changing Places facility accessed directly from Newhaven Square. New cycle stands have also been installed within the square. The Wellbeing Square demonstrates Buxton’s experience in delivering technically complex refurbishment and regeneration projects within constrained town-centre environments. More importantly, it has brought a collection of vacant buildings back into productive use, creating a long-term community asset where healthcare, fitness, wellbeing and community services can operate alongside one another. The completed scheme represents a significant investment in Newhaven and provides modern, accessible facilities that will serve local residents for many years to come. Project Team Client / Lead Delivery Organisation: Lewes District Council Main Contractor: Buxton Building Contractors Architect: Murphy Phillips Quantity Surveyor: Huntley Cartwright Contracts Administrator: GDS Healthcare: Quayside Medical Practice and Newhaven Medical Practice Pharmacy: Allcures Pharmacy Leisure and Wellbeing: Wave Active