A FORMER bus depot could be the heart of a new community hub providing better healthcare facilities in Chorley.

Chorley Council, which bought the Eaves Lane depot from Stagecoach in 2016, has been keen to transform the site for the benefit of residents.

A feasibility study is now about to start after it secured an £80,000 grant from the government to breathe new life into the area.

Cllr Alistair Bradley, leader of Chorley Council, said: “When we bought the former bus depot it was with the intention of looking to redevelop the site for residents rather than it being left empty by the owner and becoming an eyesore in the community.

“It’s a brilliant location adjacent to the existing Tatton Community Centre and recreation ground and it provides an opportunity for us to bring something special to the Chorley East area by master planning the whole site.

“We think having a doctor’s surgery and other healthcare facilities within the development will be really important because the existing surgery is not suitable if residents are to get the best possible health services in their community.”

The council has agreed to appoint an external company to carry out the work, which will look at what could be incorporated into any development and a number of site investigation works will take place to inform the process.

Any plans would also look to improve the facilities on the recreation ground.

“When you put all the land together this is a big site and it is a really exciting opportunity for us to deliver major improvements that will benefit the health and wellbeing of local people,” said Cllr Bradley.

“It also gives us an opportunity to revamp the park, which is something residents have wanted us to do.

“We expect to have the options to consider later this year and residents will be able to put their views forward when we have a better idea of what is possible.”

Cllr Hasina Khan, who represents Chorley East ward, said: “I would welcome any study that improves the community and quality of life for residents.

"How long have we been looking for a doctors surgery as we wanted one of Friday Street which never happened but perhaps it was angel in disguise it did not go through as we may have something better."