A CRUMBLING medical centre is set to be rebuilt in a multi-million-pound development.

Whitefield Health Centre, on the Uplands site off Bury New Road, has been in a poor condition for the last decade, with problems with its roof and boiler, but plans to revamp it stalled in 2008.

Health bosses have since noted the problem in a monthly 'corporate risk' report, but have failed to solve it due to a lack of cash — until now.

Funds have been identified for the 8,500-patient centre and Bury Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) chief officer Stuart North has told The Guide he is hopeful a new planning application could be tabled by the end of this year.

Mr North added: "It is very early days and there is still an awful lot of work to do and stakeholders to speak to, but we are pleased to have at least moved the issue on, after years of not much happening."

The 2008 rebuilding plan would have cost £5 million, though no figure has been announced for the latest scheme.

The sticking point seven years ago was that the design of the building was not deemed to be in keeping with the conservation area according to Bury's planning committee.

When planning permission was refused, the pot of cash was allocated elsewhere.

Bury South MP Ivan Lewis is among those who has been campaigning to bring about the project, which will most likely take the form of a new health centre.

He said: "This is a long overdue but welcome development.

"A brand new state-of-the-art primary care centre would be appreciated by the community.

"This is a real opportunity to bring community services managed by the local council, the health authority and voluntary organisations.

"I hope they can work together to provide services that will keep people out of hospital and this will particularly be welcomed by elderly people from the Whitefield area."

A report to Bury CCG's board meeting on May 27 said: "It is recognised and acknowledged that the centre delivers its services from accommodation which has limited longevity.

"The key constraints on the building at present are the condition of the roof and the boiler.

"Consequently, it is envisaged to develop a fit-for-purpose build, which meets the aspirations laid down in Bury CCG's five-year strategic plan.

"A Whitefield Project Steering Group encompassing all the relevant stakeholders has recently been established."

The three Pilkington Park councillors have all supported the move.

Cllr Michelle Wiseman said: “I am, of course, delighted to see that new plans are being drawn up.

“It will, I'm sure, be welcomed by residents and practitioners alike.

“The initial action by the then primary care trust in 2008 caused a lot of upheaval and uncertainty and I hope that the CCG will work closely with local residents and Bury Council planning department to bring their new plans to fruition.”

Cllr Robert Caserta said: “I welcome these proposals. Such a redevelopment could not come any sooner.”

Added Cllr John Mallon said: “This development is good news for Whitefield residents who attend the practice.

“I hope that more detail can be published in the coming weeks, supporting the full business case for this development.”

The next step is to determine what services will be provided from the centre and what the new centre will look like.

A construction firm will then be brought in and a timetable for the building work will be confirmed.