Wilsden is about to get a new £1m medical centre but not where residents thought it was going to be.

Negotiations with Richard Spencer, the owner of Prospect Mills, Main Street, have fallen through and now it looks set to be built on Wellington Road.

This proposal proved unpopular with some residents when discussed last year but according to Bradford Health Authority it remains the only viable site within the village for the centre.

The authority says that if building does not proceed on Wellington Road, which is designated for housing development, then the doctors will be forced to look at increasing facilities at Cullingworth surgery.

Dr Mark Purvis, who represents the doctors, said: "We need modern, up-to-date premises to meet the needs of our patients. I hope we can reach a speedy agreement on the Wellington Road site."

They intend to apply for outline planning permission this month.

A public meeting is to be held in the Village Hall on August 24 at 8pm when representatives of the doctors and the authority will be present.

Chairman of Wilsden Village Society, Martin Harrison, said: "I am glad the doctors have told us about their difficulties. I am sure that residents of the village will do all they can to help them resolve the situation. I think the meeting will be very well attended."

John Hearnshaw, a senior planner with the authority, said: "Ninety-nine per cent of the negotiations have been completed with the owners of the Wellington Road site though nothing will be finally agreed until after the public meeting.

"We have already decided on a course of action for the centre and were in some danger of being left without a site at all."

The improved accommodation will mean that all primary care services will be greatly enhanced and that important areas for service development can be incorporated easily.

For example there will be a rehabilitation service for people who have come out of hospital and there will also be a minor surgery/treatment room which will save some local residents from having to make a trip to hospital or to the neighbouring surgery in Cullingworth.

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