A much needed new modern health centre is one step closer to being built.
Plans have now been submitted to build Horwich Health Hub on Victoria Road after first being mooted in 2016 after the old leisure centre on the site was demolished.
It was hoped the health hub would have been opened last year - but plans for full planning permission have just been lodged. And if approved, work on building the new hub is predicted to start in January, much to the relief of residents.
Cabinet member for health and wellbeing Cllr Sue Baines said: “It’s something that’s very much needed, its been talked about for almost a decade, well before the leisure centre was built.
“Greater Manchester are leading on it but obviously we need these services for the people of Horwich and Blackrod.”
She added: “All the staff and the services from Horwich clinic will be moving in there and there will be space for mobile services and mobile screening to go on the site from time to time.”
Cllr Baines says that having met with developers she has been told that they are hoping to start work in January, should permission be granted, and that they envisage between them the health hub and leisure centre will have parking space for 200 cars.
She said: “It’s part of our community focus now and its about bringing care to residents.”
She added: “There has been a public consultation and we have listened to the feedback from residents on what they wanted and what they needed.”
The plans lodged to Bolton Council will see two GP surgeries, Pikes View and the Market Street Surgery, relocated to the new centre along with various community services, with scope for other facilities in the building once work is complete.
The delays in completing the centre had long been a cause of frustration for residents and their representatives, with planners assuring the public that they had made ‘significant progress’ last October.
This came after a public consultation the previous March.
But now, the final plan should mean that an end is in sight and residents will finally have access to their new health centre.
Further details about the project are expected later in the year, with Cllr Marie Brady, who represents Horwich North East on Bolton Council saying she hopes to be able to pass on a further briefing to would-be service users.
She said: “The planning application for the long awaited health centre will be welcome news to Horwich residents.
“Following the demolition of the old leisure Centre in 2016, the site has stood empty with poor parking conditions for the new Leisure Centre users.
ALSO READ: 'Significant' progress being made on Horwich health hub
ALSO READ: Delayed Horwich health hub to be ‘open by 2021’ - even though it's not even been approved
“The plans submitted by United Healthcare Developments confirm two existing GP practices relocating, services currently operating from Horwich Health Centre, a new pharmacy and 200 parking spaces.
“Full details of any additional services, timescales for construction are not included, ward councillors expect a briefing to pass on to residents.”
The plans will now go to Bolton Council’s planning committee for a decision
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel