A PRIME site in the middle of Colne could be created if the town’s old health centre is demolished and put on the market, according to council chiefs.

Plans to pull down the Market Street complex, which has been redundant since the health centre relocated to the former Kwik Save site off Craddock Road, will be considered by the borough council’s executive tonight.

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Council bosses acquired the site, and neighbouring corner surgery, earlier this year but it is only the former which is set to be bulldozed, for engineering reasons.

An internal survey has suggested that the building’s 47 rooms do not lend themselves easily to an alternative use and demolition is said to be the most cost-effective solution at the location, which is in the heart of the town centre.

Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, council leader, said: “The former health centre is in a fantastic location right in the heart of Colne, opposite the market.

“We bought it to ensure that we can control what it becomes and make sure that Colne continues to be one of the best market towns in the UK, attracting visitors from far afield.

“There have been a number of successful regeneration projects in Colne, such as Shackleton Hall and Colne Precinct, which is now fully occupied.

“And with vacancy rates dropping below the national average, there’s a strong indication that there’s potential demand for further retail or commercial development in the town.”

Once the contractors have finished, the site will be handed over to PEARL, the borough council’s development partner, before a public consultation takes place ahead of any sell-off.

Cllr Tony Greaves, the deputy leader, who also represents Colne’s Waterside ward, said: “This site is very important for the future of the town and we want to make sure it plays a leading part in the success of our town centre in the coming years.

“If the executive agrees to the recommendations we’ll be asking local residents and traders for views on the nature and design of any proposed developments.”

The health centre site is second only in scope to the former market and biscuit factory buildings in Dockray Street, which have remained undeveloped for more than a decade.