THE North West Development Agency has announced a £280,000 investment in a partnership project to bring a modern, multi-purpose primary healthcare facility to Bacup.

The Primary and Community Care Centre is being led by a partnership between Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care NHS Trust.

The centre is to be developed from a derelict section of Irwell Mill, between the River Irwell and Rochdale Road.

A new development company will be set up to repair and convert the Size House, Engine House and three-storey office.

The four-storey spinning range will be demolished to make way for a new three or four-storey suite.

The Primary Care Trust has acquired parts of the mill in Industrial Place and has an option to purchase the remainder of the three and four-storey sections fronting on to Rochdale Road.

The exciting project will repair the best of the heritage buildings and marry them to new architecture, fusing conservation and regeneration.

The River Irwell will be opened from culvert to improve the ecological value of the riverside.

Rossendale Council is acting as agent in the demolition and site remediation, which has been awarded to demolition contractor Andrew Connolly Demolition, based in Accrington, with demolition starting on January 20.

Mick Onley, an agent for Rossendale Council, said: "The new healthcare facility, together with the SureStart project at the former Maden Baths, aims to deliver family and community care to the eastern end of Rossendale.

"The four-storey spinning range will be taken down stone by stone.

"The building will be scaffolded and sheeted to contain any debris.

"Rochdale Road will be reduced to one-way flow throughout the contract to ensure public safety."

All materials will be hauled off site for re-use.

The site will then be stabilised and the riverbank repaired.

It is hoped these works will be completed by the end of May."

The new £4 million Primary and Community Care Centre will be commissioned by a new Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) development company to be set up by the Primary Care Trust and a private sector developer.

Competitive proposals have been invited from three developers and the PCT will refine the preferred proposal in consultation with the public, Rossendale Partnership, user groups and the public.

Construction work is programmed to begin in September 2003 and last for 12 months.