Castlecliff Health gets the go ahead for new site

(From left) Christine Clemants, Praveen Thadigiri, Kelli-ann Tyson and Jane Dutton, from Castlecliff Health Clinic ready for the move. Photo/Stuart Munro

After initially rejecting resource consent for Castlecliff Health's new site, Whanganui District Council has now given the go-ahead.

That will be welcome news for the practice's 2400 patients, 86 per cent of whom are in high need.

A huge surge in patient demand saw Castlecliff Health forced to look for a new site, and in May owner and general practitioner Praveen Thadigiri bought a section on Rakau Rd.

It's part of a new commercial development off Mill Rd on the outskirts of Castlecliff.

However, in June the council rejected resource consent for him to establish his practice there, prompting Dr Thadigiri to suggest he might have to close down completely.

Former council senior town planner Jonathan Barrett said the area was not suitable because of the industrial businesses being developed there.

"With more businesses being attracted to that area you would have more heavy traffic coming in and out, and more industrial noise and dust.

"Resource consent was rejected because of insufficient information addressing the impacts and how it would deal with the conflicts of other existing businesses," Mr Barrett said in June.

But on Friday the council made a U-turn.

"They have given us the consent with a few minor queries but that shouldn't be too difficult to answer," Dr Thadigiri said.

He was now waiting on the building permit, which he hoped to receive next week.

"We are looking to start construction by the end of September and aiming to complete by the end of the year ... that's the goal anyway."

Dr Thadigiri said the medical centre would not close during the transition of sites.