A number of public sector organisations across Gorton, Manchester, are set to be brought together in a new health and community hub.

Contractor Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed to deliver the project, which will see a new purpose-built facility house Manchester City Council, health and social care partners and housing and community service provider, One Manchester.

Discussions are still ongoing around what services will be available at the hub, but a new library is expected to be delivered.

The proposals were presented to tenants at a series of consultations this week. A planning application is expected to be submitted in July, with a start on site planned by late 2019 and completion anticipated in Spring 2021.

Work has already commenced on the demolition of the vacant properties on Garratt Way, formerly offices and a pub, to make way for the hub.

Morgan Sindall Construction also held a jobs fair earlier this year at Gorton Monastery to provide local workers and businesses with the opportunity to become part of the project teams that will deliver its work on the hub.

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Shaun Jones, North West area director for Morgan Sindall Construction said: "This is precisely the type of development we have a real passion for delivering and we are very pleased to have the opportunity and responsibility to provide these new facilities to the people of Gorton. We look forward to working closely with the city council to ensure the project has a positive community benefit during the construction process.

"I'd like to thank everyone who attended our jobs fair, which provided a valuable demonstration of the impressive pool of talent across Gorton. Holding the event at an early stage created a platform for useful local connections to be established long before the construction process begins. This exciting project will create a range of training, education and employment opportunities and we want to ensure that the money we invest supports local people and economic growth."

Councillor Bev Craig, Manchester City Council's executive member for adult health and wellbeing, added: "An approach like this is the embodiment of our belief that you can't just treat health and social care in isolation – as all the other key elements of life like housing, having a good job, and having fulfilling things to do in our free time are all interconnected with our wellbeing.

"We want to help Manchester people live happier and healthier lives. Accessing services should be easy and joined up, and that's why we are making public services like health and care work more closely, to provide better support to help people when they need it, to stay fit and well, access good quality jobs and enjoy all the rich social and cultural elements of where they live."

(CM/JG)