A PROMISE to build and open a new GP surgery in the town has been raised in Parliament.

Warrington South MP Andy Carter spoke in the House of Commons on the payment of section 106 money agreed from two developments in the constituency.

This was to fund a new GP surgery, however it has not been built as part of the Appleton Cross housing scheme, the MP said.

He asked Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt for a debate to ensure surgeries and infrastructure promised as part of such developments are delivered.

Mr Carter said: “Homeowners on two recently built housing developments in my constituency were promised a GP surgery.

“The development at Appleton Cross has been completely finished and the section 106 money paid across, but there is no GP surgery.

“That is putting extreme pressure on the existing facilities that are provided elsewhere in Warrington South.

“May I ask the Leader of the House for a debate in Government time to look at how we can ensure that, when planning permission is agreed and the infrastructure that is needed to go with it is agreed, the local authority responsible for approving that planning permission ensures that the GP surgeries are delivered as required?”

In response, Ms Mordaunt said: “I thank my honourable friend for raising the matter on behalf of his constituents.

“He will know that in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, we introduced powers to create a new infrastructure levy to replace the existing system of developer contributions.

“It aims to generate more funding for infrastructure such as he mentions—GP surgeries and shops, for example—to mitigate the impact of new development, and ensure that the needs of new people moving into the area and increasing the population size are served.

“We have committed to further consult on the design of the levy before drafting regulations. He may wish to raise the matter directly with the Secretary of State on March 4.”