Health chiefs will formally launch a public consultation on proposals to move a drug dependency clinic when they meet next week.

There was a huge public outcry when it emerged Bradford City Teaching Primary Care Trust planned to move the service, currently provided by Dr Michael Ross at Akam House, to the Carlisle Road Business Centre, Manningham.

Residents were furious about the lack of consultation and leaders of the neighbouring Hanfia mosque objected, fearing the service would bring drug dealers close to its school and community.

That plan has been shelved but the clinic still has to leave its current premises, which have been condemned by health and safety inspectors.

The PCT board plans to launch a two-month public consultation and write to all of Dr Ross's 800 patients explaining the proposed move.

The consultation will include two public meetings, the dates of which are to be arranged, and a poster campaign.

It will finish in October when the trust board will make a formal decision.

A report that will go before the trust board says: "A number of options have been considered for the service relocation and a full business case prepared for the tPCT board."

No further details about where the service may move to have been made public yet.

The move to consult with the public has been welcomed by Manningham vicar the Rev Bob Hill, of St Paul's Church, who had previously criticised the "furtive" way the trust had gone about the relocation.

He said: "I think any attempts by the PCT to consult on issues of great sensitivity such as this are to be welcomed.

"I am very happy that they are taking this on board. It is important that they continue to be consultative.

"In areas where there is a need for public consent, if they are serious about partnership, a key word in community development, there has to be a recognition that the most desirable way to move forward is by public consent. It may slow the process down but at the end of the day the public feels they are involved and are much more likely to be able to enter into a partnership that will benefit the people that use this service."

The consultation will be discussed at a trust board meeting in public on Tuesday, starting at 3pm at Joseph Brennan House, Sunbridge Road, Bradford.