CONCERN has been raised about the future of a vital health clinic at the dilapidated Laindon Centre, after it was revealed it won’t be included in a proposed revamp.

The Echo revealed on Monday how property developer Bride Hall had signed up to kickstart the long awaited, and muchanticipated, rebuild.

Bosses at the firm said it was too early to say how much would be ploughed into the project and what exactly will be built, but promised a mixture of new shops and new homes. However, the Laindon Health Centre, next to the shopping precinct, is not included in the current plan.

Nigel Smith, leader of the Labour group, said: “Any redevelopment really should include the health centre, because it’s dated and just not big enough.

“To start a development on that site without taking into account the health needs of the community of Laindon would be wrong. Residents depend on that health centre.”

Pat Rackley, Independent Labour councillor for St Martin’s, added: “I use the health centre a lot and all the staff are absolutely brilliant, but with all the new housing developments and now even more homes planned on the Laindon Centre site, I wonder if it can cope.

“If it is not included in the plans we’re going to have a really wonderful redevelopment, but a really dated health centre.”

Malcolm Buckley, councillor responsible for regeneration, confirmed the centre, built in the Sixties and funded by NHS England, would not be part of the restructure, but remained a priority for Basildon Council.

He said: “We have spoken to the NHS about replacing the health centre at some point, but it’s not in the short-term plan.

“We hope in due course it gets developed and I know it’s a key issue, but at the moment the resources are just not there.”

“There is no chance of it being demolished and not replaced.”