Planners support health mall’ idea

A new £6m shopping mall-style health centre and 100 new homes could be built in Wisbech.

Councillors are being recommended to approve the plan for land off South Brink.

But while planners are giving the scheme the green light, it must also be referred to the Secretary of State, Fenland Council's cabinet and also the regional government office.

As previously reported in the EDP, Construct Reason wants to build the new homes, health centre and access road on land between South Brink and Cromwell Road in Wisbech.

The centre would be the first of its kind in East Anglia and would include a range of health services along with commercial well being shops all under the same roof.

The 'mall' could include a doctors' surgery, crèche, gym, coffee shop, newsagent, a private herbalist, osteopath service, acupuncture service and even a beauty parlour.

The centre would be a relocation of the North Brink Practice, which is currently housed in a listed building.

There has been some objection to the development, including from the town council, as members are concerned it will cause further traffic congestion.

And the Middle Level Commissioners object on the grounds of flood risk.

There was one letter of objection from a local resident who was concerned about the traffic flow.

A report by officers, said: “The land is allocated within the primary industrial business area within the Fenland District Wide Local Plan. By this very allocation the land is supported for industrial use, however there is no direct policy which advises against it.”

The report concludes: “In light of the specific circumstances of this case, officers are of the view that the proposals can be supported at this time.

“Officers at this stage are of the opinion that the proposal would represent a departure from the policies of the development plan and that therefore it must be reported to the cabinet and the regional government office before any final decision is made.”