Plans for new medical centre approved

Plans to build a new medical practice at the front of the Festival Hall have been approved today.

This will enable the Alderley Edge Medical Practice to relocate from the three terraced houses they occupy on George Street, which do not meet current standards for disabled access or infection control legislation.

After a lengthy debate members of the Northern Planning Committee voted by nine votes to two in favour of the plans. These include erecting a sizeable extension at the front of the Festival Hall, following the partial demolition of the existing frontage, and a smaller side extension to create a new entrance to the hall, opposite the allotments.

Having discussed a number of issues, including: the size of the front extension, its impact on the character and appearance of the area, its impact on neighbouring properties, the ground floor entrance columns being sited on the pavement and car parking, councillors decided that the partial loss of the locally listed building was justified by the benefits it would bring to the community.

The three storey extension will provide modern medical facilities with nineteen consultation/treatment rooms for use by the Alderley Edge Medical Practice and additional medical specialisms, such as a physio and a skin lesion clinic. The proposal also includes a ground floor pharmacy, offices, a patient lift and minor surgery rooms.

Dr Edwin Thompson said "We recognise that some local residents are concerned about the direct impact that our relocating within the village will have on them. We have made a number of detailed changes to our proposals to respond to concerns that have been raised.

"We want to develop the best possible relationship with our neighbours, many of whom are of course our patients. Along with everybody else they will benefit directly from the key objective behind our proposals which is to provide the village with a guaranteed long term solution to provision of medical services. I am confident that in light of the changes we have made the overall benefits outweigh any ongoing concerns that remain."

Having spent the last five years looking for alternatives premises Alderley Edge Medical Practice are hoping that work can start in a couple of months, after the Parish Council has taken back control of the car park and the telephone masts have been removed.

Dr Edwin Thompson added "We hope to be well on with the building by April next year as we have obtained a grant from the Regional Health Authority towards the cost of the building which is subject to us having the building well underway by 1st April 2013."

Plans for the new medical centre can be viewed on the Cheshire East Council website by searching for planning reference 12/1361M.

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