The long-running battle to secure a new health centre for Thornbury has suffered another setback.

Plans for the centre, which would combine St Mary’s, Streamside and Dr Foubister’s surgeries, were given the go-ahead earlier this year but a bid for £10million of government funding has been unsuccessful.

Thornbury Town Council has written to David Jarrett, the area director for South Gloucestershire at the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire CCG, to express their 'extreme disappointment'.

The letter said: "Our existing facilities have required improvement for a considerable period of time and that makes it extremely hard to comprehend how the bid could have been turned down."

Mr Jarrett said the CCG was 'continuing to explore other options to deliver the scheme'.

Councillor Shirley Holloway, the Liberal Democrat ward member for Thornbury, said: “This is a huge disappointment for Thornbury and everyone who has campaigned for a new health centre for so long.

“The intention was that the health centre would house GP surgeries, as well as outpatient services, a mental health centre and a community outreach centre – facilities that are dearly needed.”

Her party colleague Councillor Maggie Tyrrell said: “Luke Hall and local Conservative councillors have been very good at claiming they are making huge progress towards getting Government funding.

“It appears they don’t have the influence with Government they thought they did.

“I will be asking for an urgent review of what went wrong, why the Government do not see Thornbury as a priority, and how they can salvage plans for the health centre."

Thornbury and Yate MP Luke Hall said he was continuing to work with the Department of Health and the Council to make sure the project was fully funded.

South Gloucestershire Council leader Cllr Toby Savage, said it was a shame the funding request was unsuccessful but it is not the only way to deliver the health centre.

He added: “More Government focus has been on this project than ever before and other avenues can and will be explored.

“The Liberal Democrats have consistently talked about their vision for this project over the past decade but have done very little.

“This case has already been advanced through the securing of an unprecedented £100,000 by local Conservatives and we will continue working with the NHS, the CCG and others in pressing for more money.”

The NHS awarded funding to 75 projects.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “This funding was allocated on the strength of bids received from local NHS teams.

“Schemes that have not been successful should look to develop their estate and facilities within the level of their capital resources in the meantime and not invest significantly developing plans in large scale investments until future funding has been identified.”