VILLAGE leaders have urged health chiefs to speed up the process of providing a much needed new medical centre in Addingham.

The plan to provide the state of the art clinic was announced in May last year and the site, on the Memorial Hall car park, has been earmarked for the development.

But at the parish council meeting, chairman Gordon Campbell said there had been a delay in the process of agreeing the finance for what he has described as the 'most important development for the village since the building of the bypass'.

The health centre, which will feature two doctors and related medical services, is being financed by a complicated public/private scheme called LIFT (Local Improvement Finance Trust).

However, health trust chiefs said the project was on track and they were in the process of negotiations with funding partners and planning officials.

David Riley, director of corporate development for Airedale Primary Care Trust said: "Building a new health centre at Addingham is a high priority for Airedale Primary Care Trust.

"We are currently assessing the suitability of a possible site for this development. Addingham is a green-belt area and we are concerned to make sure that the health centre is in keeping with the area.

"This scheme will be part of the Bradford and Airedale district LIFT project which is a partnership between various agencies to improve health care, social care and community services in the area."

He said that the Trust has selected Bradford and Northern Care Partnerships (part of the B and N Group) as the preferred partner for developing a larger number of health and social care facilities over the next 20 years. The first phase of the scheme will have a value of £50m.

Mr Riley said: "The Addingham health centre is part of this first phase and is expected to open early in 2006.

"As soon as the contracts have been signed with B and C Care Partnerships, we will be able to start working up detailed plans for the new health centre at Addingham.

"The LIFT project offers a unique opportunity to create modern, purpose-built facilities and increases the range of services available locally. Airedale PCT looks forward to working with the people of Addingham to develop a new health centre they can be proud of."

The actual building itself will be paid for by a private contractor and leased by the Airedale PCT.

Councillor Campbell said: "I think they are having to ask planners whether it is possible to go ahead on the preferred site because it is in the green belt.

"The majority of the village supports that site. It is the only site that is anywhere like suitable where the essential medical centre could be built."

The site chosen is presently occupied by the scout hut at the rear of the Memorial Hall car park. The land is owned by the parish council.

Addingham's present GP, Dr Eugene Raubitschek, has welcomed the plans because of a growing patient list.