MP says NHS representatives have not said anything to any political parties about location of new health centre

However, the ruling Ashfield Independents at Ashfield Council announcing last month that the new preferred site for the project would be the derelict old Seven Stars pub on West Street.

Posting on his Facebook page, Mr Spencer, Conservative MP for Sherwood constituency, said: “Following discussions with representatives of the NHS to get the current status of the project, I can say the NHS has submitted a pre-planning document with Ashfield Council on a site within Hucknall for a potential new health centre.

“They hope to hear back from the council during December with their comments. I cannot mention the site, as it is commercially sensitive, and I do not wish to risk the site being lost if I mention it."

He said NHS representatives he had spoken to said “no briefing had been given to any local political representatives on the potential location for the proposed new health centre”.

However, as reported in your Dispatch, council papers this month showed the old pub was now the preferred site, instead of the previously favoured Piggins Croft car park.

Coun Lee Waters, Ashfield Independents member for Hucknall North, previously said the council had “already committed £1.1 million” to the project.

However, Mr Spencer said: “No external funding has been secured for the project as it stands – the NHS is on track so far with the process to secure the money, but it is not confirmed yet.

“The NHS has been in contact with Gedling and Ashfield councils to discuss financial contributions as a result of funding developers pay towards healthcare provision when they build homes.”

Council papers confirm the authority will look to raise £1m through such contributions.

Mr Spencer said: “I will continue to work with the NHS, Nottinghamshire Council, Ashfield Council and other local stakeholders to help deliver a new health centre in Hucknall.

"I have been working on this project for years and know how important it is to the people of Hucknall and surrounding areas.”

However, Coun Jason Zadrozny, Ashfield Council leader, said: “I’m afraid Mr Spencer is out of the loop, he was not present at any of the many meetings we have had with local, regional and national NHS representatives.

"There were not specific briefings, the information is drawn out of many meetings where we have worked together as partners. It was those meetings where we persuaded them to change the site, to preserve town centre parking and also about the core funding.

“He is correct the Tory government have not confirmed their part of the funding yet – the Ashfield Independents are the only ones who have front-loaded investment to ensure the project can proceed.

“The Government funding would come once the formal planning permission has been granted and it can proceed to building stage.

“However the NHS has funded all the application and consultation work as part of our partnership.

“To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure what point he’s trying to make. He’s clearly just upset he’s not getting credit and frankly that’s because he’s had no part in getting this great news for Hucknall.”