UP to 350 jobs could be created at a specialist medical centre on a new business park.
There are high hopes that a specialist neurological medical centre could open at the North Wales Business Park at Abergele in less than 12 months, creating a potential “medical hub”.
Steve West, financial director for the business park, said a deal had been signed between the park and private medical company, Marantomark.
He said: “It means that we are in a situation where we are becoming a medical hub for the North Wales coast. We already have the doctor’s surgery and we may also have a pharmacy soon.
“It’s going to bring a big boost, both in construction when the centre is being built and in the long term, with education links and the possibility of studying for NVQs as well.”
The centre would provide four different services, including an brain injury rehabilitation section, a surgery, a creche and an early onset dementia centre.
Local councillors have welcomed the news, including Cllr Dave Meredith of the Pentre Mawr ward, whose wife has had to travel to Liverpool to receive treatment for multiple sclerosis.
Cllr Meredith said: “It will be good because it’s what Abergele needs; an influx of things like this. Hopefully it will bring work to the area and be beneficial to everybody.”
Cllr John Pitt of the Gele ward said that the development would be a boost to the area.
He said: “It means that people will not have to go to Walton (in Liverpool) for neurological problems. It means that there will be treatment on your doorstep, without the need for travel and stress.”
Mr Pitt said that although the centre would be private, it was feasible that the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board would be able to supply funding for local NHS patients to attend the services.
The five-acre development still needs to be approved by the local planning board, which will take at least six months, but Mr West of the business park said he was hopeful that work on the centre could begin in 2011.