A row has erupted over a potential site for expanded healthcare facilities in Holbeach after a medical centre expressed its frustrations at the parish council not discussing the issue.
Holbeach Medical Centre, Park Road, emailed Holbeach Parish Council in October to ask about potentially using land around the council’s bungalow in Carter’s Park to extend its facilities.
On Monday, the centre sent a text message to ask its own patients ‘to give their support by contacting the parish council to ask them to consider our request’.
“We have asked them to consider whether this space could be used to extend our current building, giving us the extra space we so desperately need,” the message states.
“They have declined our request to enter discussions about options for the land.
“This could be our last chance to obtain the space we need.”
In September the council applied for planning permission to make the currently vacant building its offices as it looks to move from its current base at The Coubro Chambers, in West End.
It voted to turn it into office space for the authority earlier this year.
Holbeach Parish Council chair Peter Savory responded at its meeting on Monday by calling the sender of the text message an ‘idiot’ and claimed it was ‘misinformation’, though did not elaborate further why he felt that was the case.
“Park Road Medical Centre [sic] is a private business,” he said. “There is no more reason to help that private business than there is to help Aldi, Lidl or whoever is opening up the road.
“I got the message. When I call them an idiot, that’s an understatement. They’re putting out misinformation, almost lies.
“I had a comment from a person, it wasn’t myself, who said ‘whenever you’re in there there’s never anybody in there. Why do they need extra space?’”
The issue was raised by regular public attendee Paul Poll who claimed it could lead to councillors and staff being threatened.
“I think it’s disgusting a medical centre using their database to get people to contact the staff,” he said. “That’s in light of how happy people are to use knives in this area right now.”
Not all Holbeach parish councillors were in favour of the bungalow move with Coun Sophie Hutchinson claiming the £50,000 cost of the move was a ‘waste of money’.
After Monday’s meeting she said: “The medical centre has made it clear to me that they are more than happy to discuss accommodating both uses on the site, whether as a separate building or within the extension. Therefore the discussion will in no way preclude the decision the council has already made.
“At this stage they have only requested a discussion. So, instead of being at loggerheads with each other, I would urge the parish council to put the interests of the town first, and talk with the medical centre, and listen to what they have to say, before they dismiss the idea.”
Holbeach Medical Centre had hoped to move into extended premises, opposite its current base, with South Holland District Council having bought the former Limmings yard for it. But the move fell through when the Lincolnshire Independent Care Board removed its prior support, claiming it wasn’t affordable.
Following The Voice going to press, Holbeach Parish Council has released a statement.
It reads: “Holbeach Parish Council wishes to address recent statements made by the Holbeach Medical Centre (HMC) regarding the status of the land behind the surgery. Contrary to HMC’s claim that “the land behind the surgery has become vacant,” the Parish Council confirms that this land is currently in use.
“Due to legislative requirements, the Parish Council cannot sell property or land directly to a business without following due process. Any sale must be conducted through a sealed bid process. It is important to note that HMC is a private business owned by the partners of the practice, not by the NHS.
“On July 8, 2024, the Parish Council decided to relocate its offices from Coubro Chambers. Planning permission was subsequently applied for, as the current offices are not suitable for wheelchair access, which is essential for ensuring accessibility for all parishioners. HMC’s request for the land was not submitted until October 17, 2024, and was reviewed by the Council’s PPES Committee. A response was sent to HMC on November 12, 2024.
“The Parish Council also highlights that the owners of the medical centre were previously offered alternative premises, which they declined. In 2014, a parcel of land was offered to the NHS under a Section 106 agreement, with plans for a state-of-the-art medical centre for Holbeach. However, this did not materialise.
“Additionally, the Parish Council raises concerns about the use of NHS platforms to promote what is essentially a private business, questioning whether this constitutes a breach of GDPR regulations.
“The Practice Manager was invited to attend the Council’s meeting on December 9, but declined.”
