Following years of planning, local residents will finally get the chance this week to see what the new Alderley Edge medical centre might look like.
As previously reported, an exhibition will be held at the Festival Hall on Thursday, January 26th, where plans for the proposed new GP Surgery at the site will be shown.
Plans to relocate the George Street surgery have been in the pipeline since at least 2006 but discussions reached a stalemate in 2009 because the Parish Council refused to commit to building the new centre until the PCT committed to renting the building, whilst the PCT wouldn't commit until they knew how much it would cost to build the centre and the rent they would be expected to pay.
Then in June 2010 the PCT announced that their plans had been delayed due to a lack of funding and in March 2011 the Parish Council declared the project in a "state of limbo" because plans for prudential funding had "died a death".
The Parish Council has remained determined that the project will happen and allocated £195,000 of its outgoings for 2012/13 to the Festival Hall, which represents 74.4% of their total predicted costs. This includes £75,000 which has been allocated to build a new entrance at the side of the hall.
The plans will show proposals for the new GP Surgery which will house the practice currently based in George Street. These plans are designed to provide more space, better facilities, better access for disabled and elderley patients, more parking and expanded services.
Nicola Kent, Primary Care Projects Manager from Central and Eastern Cheshire Primary Care Trust said; "We would like the patients from the George Street Practice and residents of Alderley Edge who are not registered patients at George Street, to come along on 26th January to look at the proposals, have an opportunity to speak to the developers, local GPs, NHS planners and members from the Alderley Edge Parish Council.
"We think these proposals will greatly improve the GP services to the population of Alderley Edge and provide consulting and treatment rooms to a modern standard but are keen to find out what the patients think."
The exhibition will be held at the Festival Hall on Thursday January 26th from 4pm to 7pm and everyone is welcome to attend.
For more information see last week's article Why we need a new medical centre, posted by Drs Merchant, Thompson, Hall, Taylor (nee Gilmore) and Speake.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Quote (from mid November) "Alderley Edge Parish Council confirmed last month that they are hoping to take ownership of the three allotment sites in the village from Cheshire East Council as soon as possible and intend to relocate the Heyes Lane allotment holders to a larger site within the village.
This would enable them to wipe out the waiting list for allotments and provide short stay parking for retail visitors and the proposed new medical centre at the Festival Hall".
A new Medical centre would be fantastic and residents support this in principle