BEXTON Court will only be transferred to the NHS to make way for a new medical centre – and will not be up for sale to the highest bidder.

In last week’s Guardian we reported the former dementia care unit on Bexton Road was up for sale following a review by Cheshire East Council.

This information was provided to the Guardian by the council’s press office.

But Cllr Hayley Wells-Bradshaw, ward member for Knutsford, told the Guardian that the centre would ‘categorically not be placed for sale on the open market’.

Instead she said the centre would be ‘transferred’ to the NHS in order for it to be knocked down and land freed up for a new medical centre.

“Cheshire East Council has had the building valued recently as a procedural mechanism to find out what it is worth,” she said.

“It may well be the location for a medical centre going forward but the NHS property team would be the only people who could buy it. It would be a transfer of ownership from Cheshire East to the NHS.

“It is categorically not going to be put on the open market.

“The NHS need to own the land if the medical centre is going to be put there in the future.”

Cllr Wells-Bradshaw added many residents had visited the King Street enhancement display on Silk Mill Street but had instead asked about what was happening to Bexton Court following the report in the Guardian last week.

“We have had a lot of interest on social media and people stopping us (the three borough councillors for the town) in the street,” she added.

“On Saturday people wanted to talk about Bexton Court so people in the town are very aware. We need to allay those fears they had because it is categorically not true.

“The plans for the medical centre are on-going, they are moving slowly but in a positive direction.

“But I want to say again, that Bexton Court will not be for sale on the open market.”

MP George Osborne added: “I want Knutsford to get the best possible healthcare, and I think a new medical centre is key to that.

“So I support the proposed site in Bexton Road.

“However, there is a lot of work to be done and I am working closely with local people, and with Cheshire East Council and the East Cheshire NHS Trust to ensure a positive outcome.”

In a statement to the Guardian, Cheshire East Council said it fully endorsed the development of a new medical centre for Knutsford.

“The assets of Cheshire East Council in central Knutsford are available for this purpose,” a spokesperson said.

“Any comment that this asset is for sale is erroneous.”

Leader Cllr Michael Jones said: “We can categorically state that Bexton Court is not for sale.

“There are reports locally that we are putting the site up for sale but this is simply not the case.

“We endorse the vision of George Osborne MP to improve medical provision in Knutsford and we are working with local heath partners to deliver this vision.”

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