A FORMAL consultation period for the development of the £25m integrated health and social care facility in Redcar started this week.

Leaflets are being sent out to all stakeholders and households in the Langbaurgh area.

A series of focus groups and meetings with the community are also being arranged.

People can attend a meeting at Redcar and Cleveland College, Connections Campus, Redcar Lane, next Monday, from 6pm to 8pm.

Other meetings will be held on Thursday, February 17, 2pm to 4pm, Westgarth School, Redcar Road, Marske, and Thursday, March 17, 2pm to 4pm, Redcar and Cleveland College, Connections Campus, Redcar Lane.

The facility will replace services in Stead Memorial Hospital, additional outpatients and day care facilities, the four GP practices in the overcrowded Redcar Health Centre in Coatham Road, and part of the Wheatacres Residential Home, in Low Farm Drive.

Site investigations are on-going at the proposed site off West Dyke Road, between Greenhow Walk and Micklow Close, and a review is also under way looking at the nearby area to the north and east of Ann Charlton Lodge as a possible alternative.

An additional residents meeting, similar to two held in November, has been arranged for Wednesday March 23, from 3pm to 5pm, at Grosmont Day Centre, Grosmont Road, Redcar.