In this Blog I try to bring to the attention of Biggleswade residents, what is happening in our town, which otherwise you may not read or hear about. This blog now includes community announcements like those from Ringmaster and Be Scam Aware.
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Monday, 10 October 2011
Biggleswade Health Centre - Planning Appeal Hearing a reminder
ing - Previously intere
The Hearing - will start at 10.00 am on Wednesday 12th October 2011, (for one day), at Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Bedfordshire AG17 5TQ.
Why is the Town Council still pursuing this when their very own Biggleswade Town Plan has this to say in the 'Health' table on page 30:
Community Services and Facilities Action Table
Health
Issue: C12 The town centre is the favoured location of proposed new health surgery
Action(s): 1.Feed community views to the emerging Town Centre Masterplan and the NHS Bedfordshire. 2.NHS Bedfordshire to engage and consult with residents on finding a suitable location for proposed health surgery.
Priority: High/Medium
Partners: - NHS Bedfordshire Health Centres - Central Bedfordshire Council – Masterplan Team - Biggleswade Town Council
The Town Council has (apparently from the Plan text) adopted the above and all the partners listed have 'signed up' to this.
Has NHS Bedfordshire changed its mind about the location for a new health centre for Biggleswade?
As it seems it's up to them where a new Health Centre goes (not the Town Council's responsibility) are they now supporting the TC on this proposed out of town centre location?
If not, why is the Town Council going against what was agreed?
And what is Central Beds' position on all of this - haven't they already refused the application more than once? So are they really saying 'we don't want to be a partner on this wild goose chase'?
B. Town Council hoping the revised application will be approved, as the overall area on the plans has been reduced. The opportunity to build health facilities in town has been missed in the past ie. old brewery site, old council offices. Bonds Lane is only being considered for retail (ie. land worth more money). A health facility of sorts needs to be in the town, with possibly a suplementary service of sorts elsewhere for minor ops, blood tests and suchlike. NHS have always said they want local people to decide where health centre to be situatated. The public transport infrastructure would have to improve considerably. One of the main reason the council are ignoring residents views, may be that the land is cheaper on the outskirts of the town.
Why is the Town Council still pursuing this when their very own Biggleswade Town Plan has this to say in the 'Health' table on page 30:
ReplyDeleteCommunity Services and Facilities Action Table
Health
Issue:
C12 The town centre is the favoured location of proposed new health surgery
Action(s):
1.Feed community views to the emerging Town Centre Masterplan and the NHS Bedfordshire.
2.NHS Bedfordshire to engage and consult with residents on finding a suitable location for proposed health surgery.
Priority:
High/Medium
Partners:
- NHS Bedfordshire Health Centres
- Central Bedfordshire Council – Masterplan Team
- Biggleswade Town Council
The Town Council has (apparently from the Plan text) adopted the above and all the partners listed have 'signed up' to this.
Has NHS Bedfordshire changed its mind about the location for a new health centre for Biggleswade?
As it seems it's up to them where a new Health Centre goes (not the Town Council's responsibility) are they now supporting the TC on this proposed out of town centre location?
If not, why is the Town Council going against what was agreed?
And what is Central Beds' position on all of this - haven't they already refused the application more than once? So are they really saying 'we don't want to be a partner on this wild goose chase'?
B. Town Council hoping the revised application will be approved, as the overall area on the plans has been reduced. The opportunity to build health facilities in town has been missed in the past ie. old brewery site, old council offices. Bonds Lane is only being considered for retail (ie. land worth more money). A health facility of sorts needs to be in the town, with possibly a suplementary service of sorts elsewhere for minor ops, blood tests and suchlike. NHS have always said they want local people to decide where health centre to be situatated. The public transport infrastructure would have to improve considerably. One of the main reason the council are ignoring residents views, may be that the land is cheaper on the outskirts of the town.
ReplyDelete