‘This is ridiculous’ shout locals as bulldozers destroy ‘much needed’ GP surgery – to make way for a Lidl

Locals are furious after bulldozers destroyed a ‘much-needed’ GP practice to make way for a Lidl.

Outraged patients have rejected the decision to build the cheap supermarket the entrance health into the center Manchester.

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Hawthorn Medical Center in Fallowfield is now facing one race against time to secure an alternative site before the demolition deadline.

The move has left shocked doctors and staff looking for an alternative location to relocate or another building.

One frustrated local said: “It’s shocking that an operation that is so desperately needed is being scrapped… it’s ridiculous.”

Doctors said that the current building has become too small due to the expansion of the practice.

But they said the demolition notice was over Lidl has given them a tight time frame.

A public meeting was held by Levenshulme medical center bosses to shed light on the urgency of the situation.

Hope Citadel leader and GP Dr Laura Neilson said: “This really came as a surprise to us, it was a real shock to see the news of the decision.

“And I think it was a shock to the NHS Moreover, it was certainly a shock to the community.

“This building is a bit small for us and there are more people who want to join the list and we are trying to provide more services to the community.

“We want to remain as creative and innovative as possible and we hope to move to a larger location.”

UNCERTAIN FUTURE

The center now faces an uncertain situation future as the operation’s lease now expires in October 2025.

Dr. Neilson told it earlier Manchester Evening News: “We need to find a place to move to that is local to our population, ideally a little bigger and about a mile away.”

However, doctors fear they will no longer have to undergo surgery because building up GP practices can take around “three to four years”.

The GP and medical center boss added: “The timetable between now and October is very tight. There is a discussion going on with Lidl about whether that period can be postponed a little further.

“Even if we find a building and the NHS funding comes in very quickly, it gets renovated and all the rooms go in, it would still be very tight.

“There are a number of organizations that are looking at what land and locations are available.

“Hopefully there will be a solution from the community. I don’t have a site at the moment.”

‘OUTSTANDING SERVICE’

Hawthorn is known for its excellent rating by the Care Quality Commission.

The drop-in center, which is open seven days a week, has served thousands of local residents since it was first opened by Hope Citadel ten years ago.

It functions a doctor’s practice, a parking lot and various spaces for ambulances.

The German retailer was granted planning permission for the first time to redevelop the Fallowfield site in 2021 retail park.

But two years later, according to reports, Lidl was given the green light to demolish the site.

Lidl said in a statement: “We have had close consultation with the medical center about the plans for Fallowfield Retail Park.

“A significant notice period has been agreed to ensure that the local community can continue to access this important facility while plans for the move are explored.

“We will look to keep the community informed of the plans as they progress.”

A council spokesperson said: “As part of a previous application, permission was granted for the demolition of units at the Fallowfield Retail Park to create a new supermarket whilst retaining the medical centre.

“This permission also included parking provision for the medical center and there was a clear expectation that GPs would remain on site.

“However, at the end of last year a prior approval application was received in relation to the demolition of the medical center – this is not a planning application.

‘The municipality is only informed about the demolition methodology and is not in a position to reject the proposal.

“We understand that the applicant is in discussions with the medical center and that the council, with colleagues in the NHS, are in discussions about how the provision will continue in the future.”

The Sun Online has contacted Manchester Council, Lidl and Hawthorn Medical Center for comment.

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