STORM clouds are gathering over plans for a medical complex on green belt land at the Warrens nurseries in Thingwall - renowned for its work with people with learning difficulties.

Bebington and West Wirral Primary Care Trusts have put out feelers over the creation of a health centre at the Warrens incorporating three doctors' surgeries from Irby, Thingwall and Heswall under one roof. It would mean that 15,000 patients would be treated in the same building.

Local Tory Cllr Jacquie McElvie warned: "This could be the final nail in the coffin for the Warrens. The scheme involving people with learning difficulties has been visited by other local authorities who felt it was an outstanding project.

"We don't want that taken away."

Around 3,500 people signed a protest petition when the PCTs submitted a similar application for the Warrens site last year.

They need to find a site quickly because existing facilities fail to comply with the requirement of the Disability Discrimination Act. There is an added problem caused by lack of parking spaces.

Cllr McElvie said: " The PCTs are determined to try to get this site and while we agree that they need to find one, it should not be at the expense of green belt land."

Many sites have been considered by the PCTs over the past four years, but they have either proved to be too small or they have been snapped up by commercial bodies which were able to pay higher prices.

Wirral Tory group leader Cllr Jeff Green said the centre faced closure in a budget squeeze earlier this year until a 12-months reprieve was granted.

He said: "At present, people have access to surgeries in the towns and villages where they live. If a new health centre is built they will be forced to drive some distance to a facility which will be potentially damaging to the nurseries."

Joanne Stewart, communications manager for Bebington and West Wirral PCT, said the trust was trying to find a suitable site in the West Wirral area for a much-needed centre for patients in the area.

She said: "Unfortunately, we have still not been able to identify a suitable commercial site that doesn't encroach on green belt land. We have, therefore, requested that the council review their decision on whether the PCT could possible utilise some of the land that forms part of the Warren's nurseries on Thingwall Road - which will be fully debated at the council cabinet on October 5.

"We would hope that this would not affect the current operation of the nurseries based there. By taking this joined-up approach with the council we envisage that this will enable the PCT to finally provide a health centre in a central location that would provide better facilities ."