NHS bosses have been slammed over a "disgusting and disgraceful" plan to turn a vacant town centre bank into a health clinic.
Councillors in Pendle have criticised NHS Property Services over its planned conversion of a former Yorkshire Bank in Barnoldswick, to replace the current larger Butts health centre.
Critics claim the old bank on Newtown is too small for Barnoldswick’s health needs and is in a poor location. Some want a new replacement health centre built at the old Butts site.
They also claim NHS Property Services has not held talks with councillors about future health provisions in West Craven, as requested months ago.
Plans for windows and doors at the old bank have been submitted to the council. Six full-time and two part-time employees are indicated for the clinic.
Liberal Democrat Cllr David Whipp said the current overall proposal was ‘disgusting’.
Later he added: "This is West Craven being sold down the river by NHS Property Services, which is doing away with the Butts clinic, a spacious area with previously good facilities.
"We get fobbed-off with a small clinic with two cupboards and not enough room to swing a cat. This is a disgraceful application.”
Neil Watson, council planning head, said: "All we have here is a change-of-use planning application concerning windows and doors. The only advice I can give you is it’s the most straight-forward application regarding visual impact you will ever get.”
Conservative Cllr Jenny Purcell said: “I don’t always see eye-to-eye with Cllr Whipp but this is a mess. They have broken every rule you can think of. There is parking on the pavement. The work is scruffy. Anybody else would be pulled up about it.
“The town is growing. The NHS is not looking after the town’s needs. This old bank site is not good for disabled people. It is not good for parents with prams.
"The building’s access comes straight onto a pedestrian crossing. Access is dangerous because of inconsiderate drivers. Years ago, a planning application linked to disabled access for the old bank was refused because of access issues.
“There is only one option which is to build a new clinic at the Butts. I want nothing to do with this.”
Tory area committee chairman Cllr Rosemary Carroll said: “We all agree we would like a new clinic. But this is about windows and doors, which has nothing to do with the clinic.”
But Cllr Whipp said: "We objected to the bank proposal months ago, as Pendle Council. We have not had any discussion with them whatsoever. If we can defer, we can bring them to the table.”
Mr Watson said: “Use of this building as a clinic could start tomorrow without any permission from the council.”
Cllr Whipp added: “If we end up in an appeal, I will be calling for a public meeting rather than written statements. If we go down in flames, at least we will be fighting for residents.”
Councillors voted to defer the planning application for further advice.
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