Sheffield’s Wake Smith has helped three healthcare entrepreneurs secure planning go-ahead for the first stage of a new healthcare hub to be built in the city.
Ray Boulger, Julia Leahy and Toria Chan from STEPS Rehabilitation have been granted planning permission to build a state of the art neurological and orthopaedic rehabilitation and recovery centre on part of the site of the former Jacobs Manufacturing Company premises in the city.
Wake Smith commercial property director Lisa Davison guided STEPS Rehabilitation through specific healthcare tax issues and the formation of a development vehicle and structure to buy land for the hub.
“With STEPS being the very first anchor on the site, my work concentrated on putting together the legal framework on the land purchase,” said Davison.
“This involved solving the tax issues for development costs as healthcare companies are exempt from paying VAT. We also guided STEPS, as a new developer, through the best, and most effective, way to structure the project using a development vehicle.”
Ray Boulger, Chairman of STEPS Rehabilitation, said: “Our research has shown a strong need for dedicated rehabilitation services for working aged adults who have suffered neurological trauma.
“We know that if we harness patients’ individual drive and desire and add our commitment and care, we will achieve optimal results. We can offer patients the tools with which to push their own recovery to its pinnacle.
“Lisa fully understood the legal complexities surrounding a development of this type and provided a very comprehensive service. We have been able to concentrate on the facility while knowing that the legal work has been fully taken care of,” added Boulger.
The purpose-built development, which will offer 23 beds and feature a rehabilitation gym, hydrotherapy pool and cafe, is expected to create 60 new jobs by next summer.
