Planning permission has been granted for an extension to a health centre amid a “desperate need” for increased GP capacity.

Marcham Road Health Centre, in Abingdon, will undergo a single-storey ground floor expansion at the rear to accommodate eight additional consultation rooms for general practice examinations.

The extension will use red face brickwork with blue brick features to match the existing building, and likewise the new roof will match the existing style of brown tile.

READ MORE: Abingdon family health centre expansion plans lodged

Nathan Ley, county councillor for Abingdon North, said: “I’m pleased the approval was granted to expand another GP surgery in Abingdon.

“Marcham Road Health Centre serves a wide area and with a growing population with increased needs we could use all the extra capacity we can get.

“It remains to be seen whether the government is able to ensure the NHS gets the increased staff this will need, but it’s a good first step.”

Neil Fawcett, district councillor for Abingdon Caldecott, said: “I welcome this decision as we desperately need increased GP capacity in Abingdon.

“The NHS is under strain across the country, so it is good to see there is at least some good news here in Abingdon.”

Despite this optimism, there has been a few concerns lodged with regards to parking, noting the plans do not include an increase in the number of parking spaces on-site.

Representing Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, who operate the community hospital located alongside Marcham Road Health Centre, Wayne Heal, said: “I note from the application that there will be no net change in the number of car parking spaces provided on-site, and yet the additional eight consulting rooms will have a material impact on the number of vehicles accessing the health centre.

“This could have a spillover effect on the hospital, which is already experiencing extreme pressures on its parking facilities.

“I also have questions around how the rear of the family health centre will be accessed to enable the proposed extension to be constructed.

“It’s important that any construction traffic is managed carefully and does not adversely impact on the quality of care we provide at the hospital.”

However, Oxfordshire County Council Highways stands by the application.

A spokesperson said: "The development does represent an intensification of transport activity at the site with the creation of eight additional consulting rooms.

“However, the transport statement demonstrates that additional peak hour traffic generation is unlikely to have a significant adverse traffic and safety impact on the local highway network.

“The transport statement demonstrates that the existing car parking provision of 44 spaces will continue to meet the County’s standards with the additional consulting rooms in operation.”

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1