Horwich Health Hub to go ahead after approval

The approval marks the final hurdle in the battle to give resident a modern facility.

The Horwich Health Hub on Victoria Road was first proposed in 2016 to replace the existing one and provide the community with a 'much needed' multi-purpose health facility.

Under the plans Pikes View, and the Market Street Surgery will relocate to the new centre along with various community services, with potential for other services.

The new healthcare facility would replace three existing medical practices in Horwich, which have been considered no longer fit for purpose by a lot of residents.

Under the plans, there will be a pharmacy and specialist clinics for mental health and physiotherapy.

The site. (Image: Google Maps)

The approval was subject to conditions with planning bosses calling for the building to be in red brick work rather than grey, so it would be in line with the aesthetics of its surroundings.

Councillor for Horwich North East, Marie Brady said the community was looking forward to a new centre.

She said: “This has been a long time coming and residents like it, so I would recommend approval of it.”

Cllr David Wilkinson was keen to inquire whether other red brick housing was not approved because then this would be unfair to the health centre.

The plans were approved with little objections from residents except a few concerns regarding the 24-hour use of the site.

Some were concerned that there would not be enough car parking spaces, as well as concerns about traffic management at peak times, and the length of time that the development would take to complete.

READ: Horwich health centre plans to be ruled on

Work should get underway in the new year. 

As many as 10,500 Horwich residents would directly benefit from primary care offered at the centre,