New health clinic at shopping centre approved

Plans for a new city health clinic at a shopping centre have been approved.

Healthcare specialist Bupa submitted a planning application to Peterborough City Council in October, proposing to convert a vacant soft play centre at Serpentine Green shopping centre in Hampton, into a new health facility.

The clinic was expected to accommodate 2,000 appointments a year for a range of talking therapy services with the potential to expand should demand require.

About 12 jobs would be created, including clinical psychologists, cognitive behavioural therapists, counsellors and operational staff at the new site.

Bupa's planning application claimed the new clinic would "revitalise an underutilised unit", the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

A council case officer wrote that the proposed health clinic was considered to be an appropriate use for the shopping centre, given the proximity of another healthcare facility and the mixed uses already present.

"The health clinic is considered to offer a service that caters for the community and will support the viability and vitality of the shopping centre, given this unit is currently vacant," the report added.

No objections to the planning application were received, and development must begin within three years.

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