ALTRINCHAM will become home to the new South Trafford Health and Wellbeing Centre after getting the full support of planning chiefs.

Members of Trafford Council’s planning development control committee unanimously voted in favour of an application to redevelop the vacant Altrincham General Hospital.

The vote was taken before the floor opened for debate, with the application approved within one minute of being called forward for consideration.

The Market Street hospital, which has laid empty since services were relocated to the purpose-built Altrincham Hospital on Railway Street in 2015, will be partially demolished and replaced with a health and well-being centre.

Gina Lawrence, Chief Operating Officer, at NHS Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “We’re delighted our plans for the South Trafford Health and Wellbeing Centre have been approved. The centre is not just about healthcare, it also combines social and community aspects and promises to be a really great asset for local people.”

Designed by AFL Architects, the scheme would see the demolition of the existing buildings, and the original Victorian façade, which dates from 1870’s, would be rebuilt to the north east of its current location.

The four-storey Health and Wellbeing Hub would incorporate a library, pharmacy, café/health retail, public health services and GP practices. The public health areas would include consultant rooms, treatment rooms, waiting area, recovery rooms, separate children’s ward, counselling rooms, staff zones and offices, and training rooms.

A basement car park would provide 101 parking spaces and Pott Street would be transformed into a pedestrian priority public square.

The plans, which form part of Trafford CCG’s long term strategy to increase care within communities throughout Trafford, are part of an overarching aim to modernise provision for residents.

In August 2015 Trafford CCG and Citybranch Ltd, the Centre’s property developers, undertook a two day public consultation in the town to tell residents their ideas, show them the designs and hear their views.

Over 200 people attended with 95 per cent of respondents stating they either ‘agreed’ or ‘definitely agreed’ with the overall look and design of the building.

Adam Gross, Property Developer at Citybranch Ltd, said: “The exciting scheme will support economic growth, create jobs and contribute to the continued regeneration of Altrincham Town Centre.”

More details on the scheme will follow shortly.