Changing Leeds - When the city boasted a doctor in the sky

And its location? More than 200ft above the ground up on the twenty second floor of Cottingley Towers in south Leeds.

It opened in 1974 after being given temporary permission to operate by Leeds City Council's housing committee in December 1973.

The committee felt the premises were not entirely suitable but were willing for them to be used until alternative accommodation could be found.

Surgeries were held from Monday to Saturday between 8.30am and 9.30am, from Monday to Friday between 6pm and 7pm and on Wednesday and Thursday between 4pm and 5pm.

Patients did not need an appointment to visit the two doctors based in the flats. The surgery was brought back down to earth in the early 1980s.

Built in the early 1970s, Cottingley Towers and neighbouring Cottingley Heights were once heralded as the tallest residential buildings in Europe. When built, it was decided not to put a flat number 13 in either block as some regard 13 to be unlucky, and this was also the first time buildings of this design had been constructed.

Do you remember the doctor's surgery at Cottingley Towers? Share your memories with Andrew.Hutchinson via email at: [email protected] or tweet him - @AndyHutchYPN***********

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