FIRST Minister Carwyn Jones has been asked to intervene to get 11-year-old plans for a town’s health centre back on track.

Buckley residents are becoming increasingly frustrated with delays in building the new centre which will replace the site on Padeswoood Road.

Buckley councillor Ron Hampson says he will now write to Mr Jones asking him to help.

The latest hold-up involves uncertainty over the rental value of the proposed centre, set to be housed on the former Belmont Special School on Mill Lane.

Cllr Hampson said: “This has been going on for so long. There is a lot of disappointment in Buckley. Things have been dragging on for 11 years.

“There is a deadlock between the developers and the district valuer. It is time somebody stepped in.”

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has said once the situation is resolved the new centre could be built within 18 months.

A new medical centre is currently taking shape in Mold and Buckley resident Peter Lamb, 60, said “It is a disgrace. There are more than 5,000 more people in Buckley than Mold and work has already started on the Mold site.”

A re-submitted planning application for the centre was approved last year and the town’s Roseneath and Bradley medical practices are set to move in when completed.

Rev John Waring, a member of the town’s patient group, said: “It has taken a long time. The doctors provide a good service but they haven’t got the facilities, they need a new building.”

Buckley councillor Carol Ellis said: “People are getting frustrated. What more can we do other than build it ourselves?”

A spokesman from Betsi Cadwalader, said: “The plans for the health centre are well developed, but we are still awaiting the district valuer's final recommendations with respect to the rental value for the proposed scheme.

“As soon as this is received our next step will be to formally submit to the Welsh Government for a decision regarding the funding of the scheme.

“The involvement of our stakeholders and the public will be a key element of this project’s success.”