A BURNTWOOD councillor says a consultation on a new health centre in the town should have taken place a decade ago.
The first image of how the new facility on the former youth centre site at Cherry Close was revealed last week.
It came as a consultation began ahead of planning application being submitted for the long-awaited centre.
The new facility had been due to replace the temporary health and wellbeing centre at Burntwood Leisure Centre following its closure.
But despite bosses of the Integrated Care Board telling councillors back in 2023 that the health centre would be up and running by the end of 2025, no action on site has yet taken place beyond clearing the plot.
There had also been fears that £1.1million of funding allocated could be lost if the scheme did not come to fruition soon.
But a consultation has now been launched on the plans, which will also see sports pitches and a care home built.
Cllr Sean Bagguley, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for finance and Resources, said that the authority was “moving as quickly as we can on behalf of the NHS”.
He added:
“Despite the urgency to deliver this much-anticipated community asset, it’s important we follow the correct process and we hope everyone who has an interest in this project will take a moment to share their views.”
But Cllr Paul Taylor, Labour representative for Boney Hay and Central ward at Lichfield District Council, said the ongoing delays were frustrating.
He said:
“Why is a consultation being launched now for a health centre that was supposed to be built last year or several years ago?
“This should have been done a decade ago.
“A sceptical person might suggest that this is just another excuse to delay the building while they do this consultation. Not me – I know our dedicated county council wouldn’t do such a thing.”
Feedback on the new health centre proposals can be submitted until 14th May at www.knightsplc.com/burntwood-health-centre. Comments can also be made by emailing matthew.wedderburn@knightsplc.com.
