THE chairman of the Whitchurch Patients Group has welcomed the arrival of a new medical facility in town ahead of construction next year.

Last month, The Wrekin Housing Group, Shropshire Council, NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and local GPs revealed they had signed an agreement to begin work on the ground-breaking £19.1m Pauls Moss development.

The project has been in the works for several years, including facing a High Court appeal over its design.

The announcement that work will begin in the new year has been well received by Shropshire Councillor Peggy Mullock, who is also the head of the Whitchurch Patients Group.

She said the project was 'a long time coming'.

"I'm delighted that all the i's have been dotted and the t's have been crossed and it's now all systems go," said Cllr Mullock.

"Since we lost the surgery in station road, it's kickstarted all this process in a long time since I approached Shropshire Council for help.

"We've had our hiccups along the way but we got there in the end and now the benefit is going to be for everyone in town."

The Pauls Moss scheme will provide the Whitchurch area with modern health and care services, and bring the existing GP practice into a modern, purpose-built centre and community space.

The development will also offer combined housing and care services for the over-55s.

Work on the new surgery is set to begin in the new year and is expected to be completed by 2024.

Cllr Mullock added that she was looking forward to work commencing and said the Patients Group would be involved in the planning.

She added: "Hopefully in Janurary they will start the demolition of the old flats and then work can commence.

"The patient group will be hoping to be involved with the new surgery, especially looking after patient's comforts and needs."