​A HEALTH PLANNED health centre will now not be part of the £10million pound redevelopment at The Centre on of part of the Newington estate.

The NHS has said this week that it “never committed” to the plans which were shown to residents at a public meeting last year.

Town and Country Housing Group (TCHG), which is behind the redevelopment, which will includes demolishing homes at The Centre, submitted a planning application for 54 two and three storey houses, shops and a three storey health centre in October.

Residents in Newington were invited to comment on plans at an exhibition last year where a huge temporary re-housing programme was launched.

The Isle of Thanet Gazette can reveal plans for the new health centre shown to residents were not an NHS option.

Representatives of the NHS primary care trust who met with TCHG, said they “never committed to the plan” and questioned the viability of a healthcare centre in the heart of Newington.

NHS infrastructure boss Jo Fox said: “In order to make a new surgery viable, more than 1,800 patients would be needed.

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“Our understanding is that the new residential development at The Centre will not result in substantial increase in the local population.  and so any Residents requiring health services will be able to register at a number of local surgeries, if they are not already registered locally.”

A spokesman for TCHG said the group was now looking at other possible uses for the building.

He added: “The primary care trust (PCT) was consulted about using the community space as a health centre. It was something that tThey were happy to consider it and the planning application was drawn up on the basis of this possible use.

“When the PCT said informed Thanet council and ourselves that this was not an option that they wished to pursue, we naturally withdrew the application so that an alternative use for the community space could be identified and this is something that we are now working towards.

“It may well be that tThe best option for local people may be a building which could be used by a number of agencies rather than dedicated to one.”

Newington councillor Richard Nicholson, who supports the redevelopment, believes residents will be disappointed.

He said: “I think they had good intentions here, and there was an opportunity for people in Newington to walk to their nearest surgery.

“ I don’t think they should have withdrawn the plans because they now have to go back to square one. I think people will be disappointed that they are not getting a health centre.”

What do you think? Was a health centre a good idea or is there something else that the space could be used for? Email newsdesk.thanet@krnmedia

.co.uk or see write to the address on page 2