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There is promising news on the Wivenhoe Health Centre development! Terms have been agreed on a commercial site down at Wivenhoe Quay, subject to obtaining planning permission for medical use.

Wivenhoe is proud of its sailing heritage, and soon will be able to claim to having the UK’s first floating health centre. The mooring for the facility is on the Wivenhoe side of the Colne. Concerns were raised that patient numbers might reach capacity, should Fingringhoe residents also be given access.

Planning Officers at Colchester Borough Council have confirmed that the controversial site is within the Wivenhoe settlement, but only during high tide periods. The new Health Centre will operate under a strict timetable that is controlled by the Colne tidal charts. Copies of these will be posted each month on the Wivenhoe Town Council website. The Town Council noticeboards will also display this information.

No design work will commence until there have been preliminary discussions with the planners concerning access, elevation treatment and traffic management. It is understood that a separate channel is to be implemented along the Colne, purely for medical use.

This will work along the same principle as the Olympic traffic lanes as seen in London during the 2012 games. Only fleet accessing the new Health Centre will be allowed to use this separate medical shipping lane in the Colne. Priority will be given to residents in canoes.

The news comes out after a private meeting was held between various parties interested in finding a solution for the much-needed new health facility in Wivenhoe. The meeting wasn’t minuted, but personal notes from one particular member of the group washed ashore in a bottle just off White House Beach early on Sunday morning.

The message in a bottle contains off the record quotes from various members of Wivenhoe Town Council. One particular Cllr was keen for residents to understand that WTC is powerless in preventing any planning permission being sought from the developer. Ribbon cutting responsibilities have already been agreed however.

Promises have been made to keep residents informed at every step along the way, and to “share the journey” with them. An extra plank of wood is being made available down at Wivenhoe Quay to help facilitate this journey.

Speaking about the Quayside location for the new Health Centre, MP Bernard Jenkin said:

“I am pleased that a solution has finally been found after a tremendously difficult period for all involved. I welcome the Quayside location, although I have a few issues that I would like to see resolved.

The new site is incredibly close to mainland Europe. We can’t allow our pathological fear of anything that we don’t trust to take control of a facility that has been paid for out of British taxpayers money. I demand that the Union Flag will fly from the new Health Centre at all times.”

The Quayside Health Centre is scheduled to open at the same time that the cycle path between the town and the University is completed.

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