A LONG-awaited health centre could take a major step forward this week.
Plans for the new Buckley health centre on Mill Lane will go before Flintshire Council’s planning and development control committee on Wednesday.
Approval is recommended for the reserved matters application by HPC Wales, subject to a lengthy list of conditions being met.
In his report to committee members, Flintshire’s head of planning, Andy Farrow, writes: “The health care centre will provide a space which will enable a number of health care facilities to occupy a single space within the community.
The scheme provides accommodation for general practitioners, dental consulting rooms and associated complimentary therapies and local health board facilities.
“The building also provides spacious waiting areas and office and administration space.”
Buckley residents and community leaders have spent more than a decade fighting for a new health centre.
Earmarked to be built on the site of the former Ysgol Belmont building, outline planning permission for a new health centre on the site was granted three years ago.
The building is at the junction of Liverpool Road and Alltami Road and is near Elfed High School.
Mr Farrow adds: “The building provides accommodation for two general practitioners practices, with 12 consulting rooms in addition to ancillary support rooms.
“Seven consulting rooms are provided for health board care services, including district nurses and midwives.”
There are also proposals for dental facilities and a pharmacy.
The report states three responses were received during consultation, which were “broadly supportive” of a new health centre.
Council member, Cllr Carol Ellis, raised concerns about the potential traffic impact on the school.
Mr Farrow has responded to the concerns and said there are already parking restrictions in place.
He said proposed bollards would act as an “impediment to visibility at the junction” and would affect the safety of highway users if introduced, as he proposes making no changes to the roads.