A COMMUNITY leader has hit out at opponents of a proposed medical centre accusing them of using 'underhand methods' and 'deliberate exaggeration'.

Parish councillor Nick Parker, a former chairman of Bunbury Parish Council, is supporting plans by Bunbury Medical Centre to relocate to Vicarage Lane.

He has accused opponents of harbouring a 'Not In My Backyard' mentality or NIMBYism.

He said: 'I am concerned that a small number of objectors have used under-hand methods and deliberate exaggeration to further their cause.

'There is no other term but NIMBYism to describe their behaviour. I am convinced that if the situation were reversed, these people would be the first to criticise the methods they have used.

'The proposed medical centre will be of great benefit to the patients and to the village. It is up to the people who support the plan to make their views known to the planners at Crewe and Nantwich.'

Bunbury Medical Practice managers say they can no longer operate from their 100-year-old site if they are to expand and comply with modern health and safety standards.

Backed by Bunbury Parish Council, and following a period of public consultation, they have found suitable premises within the village and say they may be forced to move out of Bunbury altogether if the move is obstructed.

But residents close to the new site are not happy and have encouraged people to write letters of objection. They have put up posters which claim the development will:

Bring about 1,000 extra vehicles per day onto Vicarage Lane, a road already dangerous with no pavements. The vehicles will also use school land and Bunbury Lane for access.

Dominate the centre of the village and severely damage the conservation area.

Lead to further housing development and destroy the green centre. Result in a major increase of patient numbers - from outside the village.

Objector Michael Stene, who lives in Vicarage Lane, said opponents were not interested in getting involved in a media campaign but he responded to Cllr Parker's attack.

'Most of my comments could not be published because I would end up in the libel courts,' he said. Responding to claims that the tactics used by campaigners hadbeen underhand,hesaid:'I would have said it would be more likely to be ourselves making that claim, but I cannot go into detail.'

Asked whether he was a NIMBY, Mr Stene hit back: 'Of course not. My concerns relate to the road system. This is not a question of over-development. This is straight forward danger. We are campaigning through the proper channels. We have deliberately kept our behaviour out of the local papers. We are not interested in playing political games.'

Bunbury parish councillors are unanimously supporting the proposed building after viewing the plans. And members believe the number of supporters in the village outweighs the objectors by a 'wide margin'.

However, the council says a simple form can be delivered to anyone wishing to register their view on either side of the debate. Completed forms will be handed to Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council inorderthat the planning committee has a 'balanced and accurate' impression of people's views.

These can be obtained from Cllr Dennis Burrows (01829 260177), Cllr Nick Parker (01829 260681) or clerk Colin Knowles (01829 260616).

Cllr Burrows said: 'This is not just about a building. This is about caring for people, particularly people who have lived all their lives in Bunbury.

'To me it is important that we give the people of the village their independence, so that they do not have to rely on other people, some of whom seem to be here today and gone tomorrow.

'So stop and think how long you have lived here compared with them. Do they not have a right to be considered?'