Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice, has expressed his relief at the news that the East Lancashire NHS is bidding to buy the ‘Kwik Save’ site on Craddock Street, Colne, for the long awaited new Colne Health Facility.

Speaking from Westminster, Mr Prentice said: “The decision to site the new facility next to Colne bus station and very close to the town centre must be the right one. This £10 million investment will be a significant boost to improving the health of the people of Colne and West Craven, and will be another major addition to the town following the SureStart Children’s Centre building opened last year. The new facility will need planning permission  and I hope there will be no delays. I want Pendle Council to pull out all the stops.”

“The residents of Colne and West Craven will have a second opportunity to express their views on the services to be provided from the new health facility when the public consultation is repeated in early 2009. It is essential that the development is given top priority and the proposed launch date of early 2011 is achieved.”