‘Shock’ demolition of 6,000-patient south Manchester GP surgery for new supermarket all but confirmed

The demolition of a south Manchester GP practice with 6,000 patients on its roll – to make way for a Lidl store – is to be confirmed.

Hawthorn Medical Centre, in Fallowfield Retail Park, now appears to have no choice but to find a new home. It has faced an uncertain future for months after the supermarket chain used permitted development rights to signal its intention to ax the NHS operation.

The saga began in 2021 when Lidl received planning permission to redevelop the retail park and demolish non-Hawthorn units. The GP was then set to be protected, with planners anticipating the shop’s car park would be used by NHS patients.

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Since then, government reforms have allowed Lidl to use permitted development rights to expand its proposition. Now, they’ve submitted a bid to build a bigger store – which includes confirmation that hawthorn’s days are numbered.

The planning application has been recommended for approval by Manchester council’s planning department, with officers saying “the loss of the medical center is clearly regrettable and concerns about its loss are fully realised”.

“In the circumstances, (the council) has no control over its loss or long-term future and it is not a matter that can be given importance in determining this application,” a report for the authority’s planning committee meeting on Thursday (July). 25), he added.

For its part, Lidl said it had “been in close conversation with the medical center regarding the plans for Fallowfield Retail Park”.

“A significant notice period has been agreed to ensure the local community can continue to access this important provision while plans to relocate it are explored,” a spokesman added in February when the issue came to light for first time: “We will endeavor to keep the community informed of plans as they progress.”

However, top scouts at Hawthorn’s parent organisation, Hope Citadel, said the news was “a shock”. Dr Laura Neilson told a meeting of concerned patients and local residents in February: “It was a real surprise for us, it was a real shock to hear the news of the decision. And I think it was a shock to the NHS as well, it was certainly a shock to the community.

“It’s not a great situation, to be honest. We have had a number of meetings with Greater Manchester NHS and local councilors to emphasize that an alternative site must be found. No one is saying anything other than we need a new site.

“This building is a bit small for us and we have more people wanting to join the list and we are trying to provide more services for the community. We want to continue to be as creative and innovative as possible, hopefully moving to a bigger site.”

Manchester council’s planning committee will meet at 2pm on July 25. You can watch it online here.