PLANS have been drawn up for a residential development and major health facility. Electrical retailers DSG Retail Ltd are submitting plans to Stevenage Borough Council for a residential development on the Mastercare site at Wedgewood Way and Martins Way.

PLANS have been drawn up for a residential development and major health facility.

Electrical retailers DSG Retail Ltd are submitting plans to Stevenage Borough Council for a residential development on the Mastercare site at Wedgewood Way and Martins Way.

The proposed redevelopment includes a "state-of-the-art" healthcare facility for North Herts and Stevenage Primary Care Trust as well as a variety of houses and apartments.

The enhanced primary care centre would provide space for outpatient clinics and for GPs, nurses and therapists to work together.

The building would also be open for public use in the evenings and could be shared by the voluntary sector and community groups.

Sue Philipson, property director of DSG Retail, said: "We are aware of the residential nature of the neighbourhood and we believe that this transformative scheme will benefit the local community by achieving traffic and noise reduction and the removal of the site's container crane gantry often criticised for visual intrusion."

She added: "We are pleased to be working with the PCT to provide this much-needed facility for the residents of north Stevenage and we hope for a positive outcome to our application."

Jill Peters, chief executive of North Herts and Stevenage PCT said: "We would like to develop enhanced primary care centres across our area to ensure that we are able to support the growing numbers of people with long term conditions more effectively and prevent unnecessary admissions to hospital.

"The outline planning application, if approved, would secure a valuable health care facility for the people of Stevenage."

* Members of the public are invited to view the outline plans for the redevelopment at an exhibition on Thursday, June 29 at Great Ashby Community Centre from noon to 8pm.