A new health centre has been approved to be built on derelict land in Bolton. Planning permission has been granted to build the Gloster Health and Well-being Centre which is designed to house four clinical tenants, either GPs or community dentists.
The developer also hopes to a attract an optician or physiotherapist business into a retail unit at the centre. The plans were submitted by Nash Patel, who is described in supporting documents as the landowner and owner of two local businesses.
The site in question is on Gloster Street, Haulgh, a residential area east of Bolton town centre. A design and access statement published by Bolton Council, said: “The client wishes to use the currently derelict site on Gloster Street to develop a health and well-being resource for the community in which he lives and also owns two businesses.
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“The intention is to develop a two storey building that can provide sufficient accommodation for up to four clinical tenants (general practice/community dentistry) in a variety of configurations dependent upon individual requirements. Allied to this the aspiration for a number of the space provided as part of this accommodation to be multi-purpose in their nature so that they can be used as community spaces both during and after hours.
“In addition, in recognition of the need to improve the variety of the local retail offering, the tenant has included a small retail unit on the prominent corner of Gloster Street and Devon Street, with a particular desire to attract an optician.”
The application added that 40 per cent of the application site would be used for 21 off street parking spaces and pick and drop off facilities. The report said that this was ‘so that the local community is not negatively impacted upon’.
The report added: “Ultimately, the client is a local resident and businessman and has long recognised that access to modern health and well-being services and local retail offerings are poor in the area and has submitted this application in order to help improve this situation.”
The council received seven objections including that the centre ‘will block light to neighbouring kitchens, that ‘there are problems with parking on Castle Street, this facility will cause further issues with resident parking’ and ‘the health facility will result in a loss of trees and green space’.
The plans were approved by Bolton Council on May 30.
