Manchester acquires Chorlton eyesore to boost health provision
A property on Manchester Road will be used by the NHS to help the district centre cope with the demands of a rising population.
More than 600 homes are currently under construction or planned in Chorlton, putting a strain on public services, according to a Manchester City Council report.
The report states that there is a “critical shortage in healthcare infrastructure” in Chorlton. Chorlton Family Practice, the second largest GP surgery in Manchester, has 22,551 patients on its books – a 42.3% increase in the last five years.
Another 2,000 patients are anticipated to join the practice between now and 2032.
In response to the challenge, the city council has approved plans to acquire the long-vacant 50-58 Manchester Road, which is located next to Chorlton House, an existing health facility.
The city council will acquire the building and lease it to the NHS for the next 10 years. The NHS will fund the refurbishment and fit-out of the building and run it as a health centre.
The acquisition forms part of the city council’s aims to address Chorlton’s strained infrastructure.
“We recognise there is significant development across a number of schemes planned in and around Chorlton,” the city’s development director Becca Heron said.
“The council is not the lead developer in the majority of those instances, however, cumulatively we are conscious of the pressures that will bring to existing physical and social infrastructure.”
As a result, the authority has drawn up a local infrastructure framework aimed at mitigating the impacts of an increasing population and improving the area for residents.
The framework sets out an overarching vision for Chorlton’s public realm, as well as examining supply of education and health provision.
“We are trying to make sure proposals are brought forward in a holistic way,” Heron said.
Great use of the site! Also seems like there could be scope to add another floor to that two storey part.
By Jim
Patient at Chorlton Family Practice. Very good news, very difficult to get an appointment.
By Diana Cullen
That is great news. Hopefully this will make it easier to get a doctors appointment, and improve the look of this derelict site.
By Chorlton resident
Unbelievable how are we going to cope with all the extra. People ,no dentist drs schools destroyed our roads in chorlton all the businesses have suffered and are closing one after the other,utter madness
By Mrs resident
Hi Mrs Resident. This story is about what the city council is doing to try and help Chorlton cope with an influx of residents. Including expanding health provision. Best wishes, Dan
By Dan Whelan
That building definitely needs addressing it’s a disgrace
By Amanda
A very interesting read and good to hear extra healthcare and other public services are being thought about with all these extra homes. On the North West Place news stories Chorlton residents are being called NIMBYs. Go figure!
By Darren Caproli
600 new houses.. that’s likely to be 600 more cars on already overused roads which have been reduced in size with the recent ‘improvements’. Nit just reside
These are major arteries through the area. The village of Chorlton has been wrecked with few shops, less parking, only one supermarket, one bank. I don’t go there anymore.
By Lesley Smith
The council may not be the lead developer on all building work but it does have the power to approve or reject developments. For example iy could reject building on greenfield in favour of brownfield to save green space in a highly developed, polluted area.
By Danielle
Great to see more healthcare provision.
Vital at a time when Lidl can demolish 5,000 patient GP practices in South Manchester with impunity.
By Anonymous
Mrs Resident, did you actually read the article?
By Anonymous
great to see this much needed intervention
By little don
@Mrs Resident. . New Chorlton High school, at least three dentists within 500m of the centre, new medical facilities, Lidl on its way, Wilbraham Rd rebuilt, BMR resurfaced all through Chorlton, various residential roads re-surfaced. . Open your eyes?
By Clouded Leopard
Strongly disagree with Village..never seen so much Graffiti…your Chorlton..not Alderley edge 😳
By Patrick
Sorry but instead of MMC / tax payers funding this, why are we not asking the builders of the 600 homes to part fund this through planning gains…
By Anonymous
Hi Anonymous. The acquisition of the building has been funded with money from the sale of other assets to developers. Best wishes, Dan
By Dan Whelan