Extension to Telford doctors' surgery 'to meet growing need' gets the go-ahead

Telford & Wrekin Council has approved proposals for Linden Hall Surgery in Muxton to be expanded to ‘meet the need for an increased provision’.

Building work will see the re-designed surgery contain four consultant rooms, a new waiting room and reception area as well as storage rooms, an IT equipment room and kitchen.

To create the re-designed surgery plans have been approved to convert a garage into consulting rooms along with the building of a side and rear extension to the building. The surgery will also have seven additional parking spaces.

“The extension is on the side of the existing surgery and will connect onto the existing garage which is proposed to be converted as part of this application,” said a council planning officer when approving the plans.

“The local planning authority considers that the scale and design of the development is acceptable and would not harm the character of the property. It is considered that the development would respect and respond positively to its context and the surrounding area.

“Officers consider that there will not be any significant detrimental impact on the amenity of any neighbouring residential property.”

The building was previously a home before being converted into a doctors’ surgery in 2000.

Applicant Graham Handley explained the reason for the expansion in the planning design and access statement.

He said: “The proposals are a response to the steady and continuing increase in the local population due to housebuilding in the locality.

“The community location is ideal from a mobility and sustainability perspective and worthy of retaining if at all possible.

“The sympathetic design affords a low impact means of expanding the existing provision whilst remaining essentially residential in appearance and therefore appropriate to the setting.

“The proposals meet the need for increased provision of medical services in the locality in the most sustainable and appropriate way.”

The business is jointly owned by four doctors and is run in conjunction with the Linden Hall Surgery in Newport.

“Consulting rooms are dedicated to named practice doctors with consulting rooms retained in each of the two locations,” added the applicant.

“Doctors travel between sites to hold surgeries in one or other location but not both at the same time.

“Consequently with consulting rooms not being shared between doctors the full complement of consulting rooms will never be fully occupied at any one time.”