Mega health clinic plan for new centre

A new health clinic serving at least 6,000 people could be built in Telford town centre as part of a £1 billion vision to create a lively new heart for the borough.The centre's Anglo-American owners, who plan to revitalise the area under a masterplan called The Round, are now seeking the go-ahead to transform two existing shop units into a health centre.

It would be operated by Telford & Wrekin Primary Care Trust, with scope to double in size to help meet the long-term health needs of the town's growing population.

Kieran Larkin, spokesman for Telford & Wrekin Primary Care Trust, said: "The health centre will be open from 8am until 8pm to improve access to primary care services for patients in Telford & Wrekin.

"The number of GPs we are currently looking at placing within the centre is about four to six but this is yet to be determined.

"We finished our consultation at the end of last month. We went out to patient user groups to find out what services they would want."

Services proposed by the PCT include an accredited GP training centre, an on-site pharmacy, social care support, counselling and a host of specialist services.

A planning application for the change of use has been submitted for approval to Telford & Wrekin Council.

The Hark Group and Apollo, which bought the shopping centre last June for £450 million, unveiled their proposals for The Round in December.

They want to build a circular walkway around the current centre, linking shops with leisure, residential, civic and office areas via dramatic public spaces.

Over 1,000 jobs would be created and more than 3,000 new homes built, if planning permission is granted.

The proposed new health clinic is an early planning application to emerge from the transformation process.

The developers and PCT are seeking permission to change the use of two shops, ultimately extending the units backwards to double the size of the centre to meet longer term requirements.

Hark Group director Rob Cossey said: "At a time when many developments are being shelved, we are delighted to be pressing ahead with another element of The Round."

By Peter Johnson and Lizzie Yates