Chorley set to be digi health hub
THE Lancashire market town of Chorley is on course to become a centre for digital health care after a planning application was submitted to its council for a Digital Health Park.
Outline planning consent is being sought for the park on land of Euxton Lane – known locally as Strawberry Fields – for the digital business hub which could employ hundreds of highly-skilled IT and health workers in a mix of flexible office and data centre space.
Businesses ranging from individual start-ups to high-tech global companies would develop the digital products and services needed in the health sector as it shifts to a more technologically-advanced way of working.
As well as the Digital Health Park, the plans for the 26 acre site include new care facilities, light industrial units, a pub, convenience store, medical centre and up to 125 new homes. Around 700 jobs would be created altogether across the site.
Digital health care uses assistive and interactive technology to improve clinical research, patient treatment, prescription management and much more.
The vision for a regional Digital Health Park was developed following discussions between developer Euxton Lane Developments Ltd (ELD), Chorley Council, North West Coast Academic Health Sciences Network and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust.
ELD is a joint venture between Seddon Developments and White Acre Estates. Planning services were provided by P4 Planning, design and masterplanning by Manchester-based 5Plus Architects and transport assessment and planning by Curtins.
Ken Whitaker, from ELD, said: “The outline application is the first step in positioning Chorley at the forefront of the digital health sector in the region.
“This development could help secure hundreds of skilled IT and health jobs and attract the leading businesses in this sector to the town – meeting the aspirations of the regional health bodies to create a hub like this in the north west.”
Bill Davidson, director of P4 Planning, said: “The plans for Euxton Lane have been developed following lengthy discussions with the local community and Chorley Council about their aspirations for the site.
“The mix of proposed uses all help to deliver a unique plan that would create hundreds of obs and position Chorley at the centre of digital health care in the region.”
A decision from Chorley Council on the outline application is expected in the summer.
