A NEW medical centre could be on the cards for Shipston residents.
Ainscough Strategic Land applied to build 95 homes on land at Campden Road towards the end of last year.
The site is opposite where they recently won a long-running battle to build a supermarket, petrol station and retirement development of up to 184 homes.
Stratford District Council had initially rejected the plans – citing the impact it could have on town centre businesses – but following an appeal, a government planning inspector overturned the decision.
And as part of the latest application for 95 homes, developers have agreed to gift a portion of land next to the supermarket site to build a new medical centre.
They have also pledged to donate £50,000 towards road safety improvements at the A429 Portobello crossroads.
And members of Stratford District Council’s planning committee unanimously agreed the scheme at a meeting this week.
Shipston district councillor Jeff Kenner called the decision “a huge win” and added: “We will have a new, much larger 21st century medical centre, which is fit-for-purpose and offers better services with ample parking.
“The supermarket plans with the new medical centre will provide many jobs and is exactly the investment Shipston needs.”
And Coun Richard Cheney added: “I have carefully considered the proposal to provide a site for a new medical centre, on the back of permission to build 95 houses.
“I am concerned these houses are going to be built on the slopes above Shipston, creating serious landscape issues however, I do feel that given the huge community gain that is now possible by having a new, larger medical centre, built to modern standards, outweighs the harm done.
“Consequently, I have supported the proposal, as have the majority of Shipston Town Council.”
The developers are currently awaiting the outcome of an appeal for a housing-only scheme at the supermarket site.
Stratford District Council refused permission to build 143 homes and 72 extra care apartments and a public inquiry was held last month with a decision expected around June.
Under the terms of the agreement however, the medical centre would only be built on land earmarked for the supermarket and not if the housing-only scheme gets the nod.
