A former gym is the frontrunner to provide a new home for a cramped town centre surgery. It is hoped the new year will bring good news for the Riverside Medical Practice, which is desperate to move from Smithfield Road.
Health bosses are due to review their funding priorities in early January, which could see the scheme pushed further up the list.
And developers are considering a planning appeal to demolish the old Fitness First buildings in St Michael’s Street to make way for mixed retail, residential and primary care use.
It has now been confirmed that the surgery is in talks with Shrewsbury-based Morris Property to be part of its development. But it all hinges on whether funding will be granted in time by Shropshire County Primary Care Trust.
Martin Cousins, Riverside practice manager, said: “The council have turned down certain aspects of the planning application at the moment, but it’s possible there could be a re-design.
“We are about third or fourth on the PCT’s priority list We’re hoping they are going to say to us ‘yes you’re third or fourth and there’s money in the future’, so we know where we are at and can plan for that.”
A Morris spokeswoman said they were still deciding whether to appeal against a decision by borough planners to refuse the Fitness First scheme earlier this month.
The Riverside surgery has been looking to move for several years and currently makes the best of its cramped premises to cater for the needs of around 12,500 patients.
But it has already lost its health visitor service – partly due to a lack of space – and its current site has also been earmarked for redevelopment.
Julie Thornby, PCT director of corporate affairs, said the finance committee would be reviewing all of the proposals put forward for GP premises and facilities on their patch in early January.