Big step forward in £2 million shake-up of Whitchurch GP surgeries

Plans have been approved to expand parking at the hospital in Claypit Street so the town's Richmond House and Bridgewater medical practices can merge and form a new GP unit at the site.

Shropshire Community NHS Trust drew up the proposals to support the new unit – which would take up residence in the disused Beech ward – to include 70 car parking spaces and a cycle shelter.

Health bosses said they hoped the plans will now be approved by NHS England in the new year and builders are expected to move on to the site in April with a view to finishing the project by October next year.

During consultation restriction on lighting and hours were requested and members of the public called for a more robust fence.

Sue Collins, case officer for Shropshire Council, said: "A local resident has raised issues regarding the loss of privacy, noise and the impact of light pollution to their property as a result of the development.

"The car park will only be permitted for use by staff of the hospital and the GP unit.

"Therefore the largest traffic movements will be at shift changes or at the beginning and end of surgery hours. Any late night traffic movements would be limited due to the nature of the use of the hospital.

"It is appreciated that the low chain link fence with the landscaping would not provide appropriate privacy or security to the adjoining dwellings and therefore a condition will be imposed requiring the boundary treatments to be submitted for approval prior to their installation.

"Officers will then be able to ensure that appropriate screening is provided.

"No details have been provided in connection with lighting for the proposed car park.

"Again the comments of the local resident are noted and it is proposed to include a condition requiring full lighting details to be provided."

Steve Lloyd, estates adviser for Shropshire Community NHS Trust, said: "The NHS trust is working with others to relocation some GPs to Whitchurch Community Hospital.

"In order to accommodate the GPs we need more car parking.

"Now planning permission has been granted it is a great step forward,

"We will now wait and see the outcome in terms of funding.

"Getting the planning consent is a peg in the hole. We will keep going. It is a positive step in the right direction."

Earlier this year it was revealed that Richmond House surgery, which is based in Station Road, may have had to shut down next year unless it could find another building to work from.

But in a bid to save the surgery, staff jobs and also improve services in the area, a plan was drawn up to merge with Bridgewater Medical Practice in a base at the hospital – plans that were granted £2 million from the Government.

New plans have recently been submitted by Dr Robin Terry to change Richmond House doctor surgery into a house.