Middlewich medical centre plans approved - building work set to begin in new year (From Middlewich Guardian)

Middlewich medical centre plans approved - building work set to begin in new year

PLANS for a £9million medical centre in Middlewich have been given the green light.

Cheshire East Council bosses approved the plans at a planning committee meeting last Wednesday.

Work on the 3,860 square metre three-storey facility which will transform the existing Oaklands Surgery, off St Ann’s Walk, is now expected to begin in early 2010.

The facility will also be the new home for Acorns Surgery and create a PCT clinic, children’s centre, dental practice, pharmacy and all-weather football pitch as well as creating more than 10 jobs.

Darren Oxley, development manager for the applicant Oakapple, said: "Oakapple is delighted to have obtained planning consent for what we feel is a highly important scheme for the people of Middlewich.

“We are now looking forward to continuing our successful relationship with the Primary Care Trust (PCT) and working closely with both practices and the school, to deliver a first class development, of which we can all be proud of.”

"This is an all-round win situation for the town"

Clr Simon McGrory

Mr Oxley told the Guardian he is now working closely with tenants, the PCT and Cheshire East Council to organise leases and a land deal by Christmas.

Clr Simon McGrory, of Middlewich Town Council, added: “The approval to give the go ahead for the new medical centre in Middlewich is great news for residents and patients.

“Merging the two doctors surgeries and the Salinae medical centre under one roof, together with a new pharmacy and dentist surgery will give long term benefits to the whole town.

“More treatments and services will be available under one roof and therefore there will be less need to travel out of town.

“Together with the new all-weather sports pitches this is an all-round win situation for the town.”

In October, a decision on the medical centre plans was delayed and project manager Nicola Kent warned that the scheme could be lost.

She said: “There’s still work to be done to make sure the plans are just what we need but we’re absolutely thrilled it’s gone through.

“When it’s built it’ll make a huge difference. It’s a modern health facility and completely different to what’s available at the moment.”

But McGrory said he was disappointed at what he considered to be ‘unfair criticism’ aimed at the planning committee for deferring the plans last month.

He added: “It is important to remember that the planning committee must make decisions with the right information available.

“There were concerns with regards to access arrangements for construction traffic both during reconstruction of the sports pitches and construction of the new medical centre.

“Impact on residents especially Bembridge Court, timescale for removal and installation of new sports pitches, pedestrian footpaths and security of the whole development when completed also had to be taken into account.

“Happily all these issues were resolved, and I look forward to the PCT now investing in the new medical centre.”