Work on the new Blackburn Partnership Centre could commence this spring, according to West Lothian Council.

The £7.6m facility will consist of a GP practice, dentist, and community health centre. It will also host a community centre, including a sports hall and multi-purpose spaces, a library, employability service, IT training suite, early years space and young people's space. A Customer Information Service (CIS) centre and credit union will also be located at the facility.

Graham Construction has been named as the appointed contractor for the project, which has been designed and delivered by West Lothian Council's development partner Hub South East Scotland Limited (Hubco).

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Councillor John McGinty, Leader of West Lothian Council, said: "We are now within months of work starting on site for the new partnership centre in Blackburn. Providing local service under one roof has been hugely successful across West Lothian.

"When the centre in Blackburn is completed local people will also benefit from the same convenient access to a range of services as those provided in other areas."

Jim Forrest, Director, West Lothian Health and Care Partnership, added: "This is an exciting development which will allow health and council services to work more closely together in the future. The new building will encourage joint shared services, helping to bring together resources."

Paul McGirk, Chief Executive of Hub South East Scotland Ltd, commented: "This approval is another positive step in the development of the Blackburn Partnership Centre and we look forward to continuing our successful partnership with both NHS Lothian and West Lothian Council to make these plans a reality."

(JP/IT)