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CONSULT THE COMMUNITY OVER HEALTH CENTRE

Dear Ed,

I acknowledge the good work the Health Centre does and possibly the need for a new medical centre in the near future..... however I have to add my comments regarding the proposed location of a new medical center in Mill Lane and my total opposition to it.

The proposed site could not be more ill advised...there are so many valid reasons why it should not be located in Mill Lane.

It is totally inappropriate.

I am also somewhat concerned at what appears to be a misleading statement in the petition quote;

"We want all of our patients to be aware that, if the Practice is not given planning approval for the proposed new premises at this time, there may not be another opportunity, when both the site and the funding are available to us, and we are concerned that the provision of medical services within Hawkinge will be seriously compromised in the future." unquote.

I believe this to be emotive and inaccurate.

Anyone who reads the documentation accompanying the application (please refer to www.ukplanning.com/shepway) will see, if I remember correctly, that the Health Centre was offered a site in Spitfire Way but turned it down. 

I have to ask, why turn down a site that is nearer to the growing centre of Hawkinge, has easier and safer to access and is immediate to the commercial development, supermarket etc?

Also why move a pharmacy from the High Street and stick it down a long, narrow, unsafe lane that has traffic problems and provides poor access?

If the Health Centre really wants to the best for Hawkinge then it should enter into a full and open consultation with the community.

This project has been underway since, I believe, March 2005 yet nobody has, to my knowledge, consulted with, or advised until recently, the general community.

I have to question why this has been the case considering the importance to the community of making the correct decision.

I believe that any decision on where the Health Centre should be built should be deferred until a full and open consultation has take place with the community of Hawkinge.

Hugh Rawlings