Wem surgery can expand after fight for better services

Plans to expand a medical centre in north Shropshire have been given the go ahead – ending an eight-year campaign for more health facilties.

Bosses at Wem Medical Practice have been granted planning permission to extend their premises in New Street to meet a growing demand from patients.

Four additional consultation rooms will be built, creating four jobs.

Proposals to extend the existing centre were launched after it became clear funding to create a new one in the town wasn't available.

Planning consent for a new two-storey centre on land near the town's main car park was granted in 2009. But Shropshire County PCT said the scheme was not a priority and it was shelved.

The issue with improving medical facilities in the town has been ongoing since 2004.

Practice manager Bob Clarke said: "Plans to create a new centre are dead in the water. They were shelved by the PCT about two to three years ago.

"About a year ago we went back to the drawing board to see what we could do on the current site.

"We will now approach the PCT about funding for this development."

A report on behalf of Shropshire Council, which approved the scheme, said: "The proposed extension to the building and alterations to the site access and parking arrangement are considered to enhance the existing facility."