Plans to construct the new £7.6m Blackburn Partnership Centre have been approved by West Lothian Council.

The green light means that Graham Construction can now commence with the design and build of the project.

The new facility, which would be located next to the existing Mill Centre, will include health and social care services, as well as community services for local residents. These include a GP practice, dentist, community centre including a sports hall and multi-purpose spaces, library, Customer Information Service (CIS) centre, employability service, community health centre, IT training suite, early years provision, young people's services and credit union.


Neil McFarlane, Graham Construction, said: "As the appointed design and build contractor we are looking forward to this potential opportunity to continuing to apply our expertise in creating state-of-the-art healthcare facilities to this project."

Jim Forrest, Joint Director, West Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership, added: "Plans for the proposed new Blackburn Partnership Centre are progressing well and the submission of the planning application marks another milestone for the project.

"The Centre will enable NHS Lothian to work much more closely with West Lothian Council and in doing so put the health and welfare of Blackburn residents at the forefront of our services."

Hub South East Scotland Ltd – NHS Lothian and West Lothian Council's development partner – will deliver the project, and Paul McGirk, Chief Executive of Hub South East Scotland, commented: "The submission of the planning application marks an important step in the development of this partnership project and we look forward to bringing to life the real benefits of shared services for the local people of Blackburn."

It is hoped that planning approval will be received for the project this summer, with construction due to start in early 2015.

(JP/IT)