On 26th November, NHS Wiltshire announced that they had made "an unforeseen change" in the project to build a new purpose built Primary Care Centre (PCC) in Green Lane, Devizes. They are now proposing to work with the St Monica's Trust to build the PCC plus a retirement village on the land to the south of the new housing development to the east of Quakers Walk.
This U-turn has come as a complete surprise to everyone in Devizes and appears to have been done for financial reasons. NHS Wiltshire went through a consultation process in June 2008. The Quakers Walk site was the least favoured option, attracting only 10% of the vote. The new proposal has been put forward without further consultation and NHS Wiltshire are now trying to rush it through. We can expect the planning application to be submitted very quickly.
It is VITAL that we all do whatever we can to have our say and make NHS Wiltshire aware that the people of Devizes do not like being treated in this way. We are working with the Trust for Devizes to try and get this decision overturned. More information soon.