All systems go for two big new developments

A new health centre and retail store will be built in Kilsyth after councillors agreed to give the projects the green light.

North Lanarkshire Council’s planning and transportation committee met last Wednesday and agreed that both projects should go ahead. Planners at the local authority had recommended that 
the projects should be approved.

NHS Lanarkshire wants to build a new £7.8 million community health centre at a site next to the swimming pool in Kilsyth town centre.

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The current facility at Burngreen Park will be replaced with a purpose-built, modern community health centre which will provide a widea range of services including GP practice, mental health, podiatry, physiotherapy, speech and language, NHS dental practice and other local clinics.

TJ Morris, which own Homes Bargains has also been granted permission to build a store and car park at a site adjacent to Lidl on Garrell Road.

Local politicians welcomed the news this week that Kilsyth would receive an up-to-date medical facility in the town.

MSP Mark Griffin says he is pleased about the decision because there had been complaints from patients about the current practice including lengthy waits for appointments and telephone appointments which he had previously raised with the health board and health secretary.

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He said: “I am glad that NHS Lanarkshire has finally moved forward with the application and that the council have granted it so speedily. I hope that works will commence soon so that local people get the benefit before too long.”

MP Gregg McClymont added: “I’m pleased the council have backed NHS Lanarkshire’s plans to provide Kilsyth with a much needed, state of the art health centre.

“If the plans proceed as outlined by NHS Lanarkshire, by 2015 there will be a much needed new community facility in the area. I’m sure the people of Kilsyth would share my delight that this is now one step closer to becoming a reality.”

Kilsyth councillors Jean Jones and Heather McVey were also delighted with the news.

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Councillor Jones said: “At present all the services the health centre would like to deliver cannot be facilitated in the present accommodation which means people have to travel and once this is built that will be a thing of the past.

“I look forward to working with the health board during the next phase of the work and am happy to listen to issues that residents want to raise about the health service locally.”

Councillor McVey added: “I am delighted that Kilsyth and villages will have the state of the art health centre it deserves.”