Former DHSC minister wrote letter of support for commissioners' community centre

Howard Quayle agreed that access should be through the hospital

The Department of Health and Social Care 'fully supported without reservation' the development of Braddan Commissioner's new leisure centre back in 2016.

Its then minister, Howard Quayle, wrote to the planning committee saying access will be through hospital grounds and it was 'indicated' to the commissioners that peak times for both buildings are different. 

However the authority has now been served a 28-day notice to stop access to 'The Roundhouse' by March, by the DHSC because it says its 'priority' is for patients and staff.

In the letter, from eight years ago, Mr Quayle also said that any overflow vehicles could use Palatine GP car park and a 'reciprocal arrangement' would be beneficial; it adds the facility will 'benefit' staff and families at Noble's Hospital and would be 'complimentary' to the site. 

Now the DHSC says the 'potential' increase in traffic, that would result from people accessing the community centre using the hospital roads, has 'raised safety concerns' including the 'lack' of street lighting, a risk to emergency vehicle access and increased pressure on existing parking.