New health centre in town’s empty former library will replace medical buildings

Thursday, 24 July 2025 16:58

By Chris Gee, Local Democracy Reporter

A new health centre will be created on the site of a long closed library.

Council and NHS leaders have completed the related land sale which will enable the move of Whitefield’s health services from the current Uplands site, which the town hall said is in poor condition.

The old library site which, apart from being used briefly as a Covid vaccination site, has remained empty since 2017. The redevelopment also frees up the Uplands site for potential future use.

The council said no decision had been made about that site yet and further announcements are expected as part of their regeneration work.
In June this year Bury Council responded to what it described as online ‘speculation’ about the sale of the library premises.

It referred to allegations being circulated that the building sale could have breached the 1972 Local Government Act (Section 123) by not being put on the open market. At that time, a Bury Council spokesman said an email which was circulated ‘relates to a difference of opinion by two council departments regarding the sale of the site’.

The spokesman added: “Because of this, we sought external legal advice from counsel to clarify the position. “The advice we received was categorical – that this sale was indeed conducted lawfully and there has been no breach of the 1972 Local Government Act (Section 123).”

It is understood that Bury Council agreed a price of around £500,000 to £600,000 for the library site. Speaking about the sale being finalised, Coun Eamonn O’Brien, leader of the council, said: “This is really a win-win situation for Whitefield residents.

“Buildings which have lain empty for years will be brought back into use, and medical services will remain in the town centre in modern, high-quality premises. “This is an important site, and we feel that a new health centre, replacing poor and outdated facilities at the Uplands, is something that will be warmly welcomed by many thousands of Whitefield residents.

“This is a key element of the Whitefield town plan, which will bring a range of improvements to the town centre and maintain Whitefield’s reputation as
an excellent place to live.”

Professor Colin Scales, deputy chief executive NHS Greater Manchester, said: “This move will give patients in Whitefield and the surrounding area access to a much-improved health centre, in a building that’s more modern, more accessible, and better suited to delivering care today and in the future.

“The current premises at Uplands have served the community for many years but are no longer fit for purpose. “This new site will allow staff to work in better conditions and help improve the overall experience for patients.

“We’re pleased to be working with Bury Council to bring this forward as part of a long-term commitment to improving local health services.” The council said the plans were to start work at the site late this year or in early 2026 with an estimated building operational date in mid to end of 2027.

Patients registered at the Uplands will continue to access services as normal throughout the transition, with no disruption to appointments.