Controversial plans to demolish a historic building and replace it with a doctor’s surgery were unanimously refused by councillors. Developers applied to flatten Oban House in Beeston to make way for a new doctor’s surgery and pharmacy.
Nearby Manor Surgery in Middle Street would have then moved out of its current facilities and into the new building. But councillors unanimously refused planning permission at Broxtowe Borough Council’s planning committee.
Residents who commented on the plans said they supported the needs of Manor Surgery, but “not at the expense of Oban House” which was built in around 1890. Applicant Dr Louis Mok said without the new surgery, they will be forced to close the practice list – meaning it would stop taking new patients.
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Beeston’s Civic Society had objected to the application and put forward a petition with hundreds of signatures. Mr Mok said the surgery “cannot meet the demands of the new influx” which has been caused by the “massive amount of new housing estates being built in the area”.
The surgery had 7,500 patients when it opened in 1982 and by the end of this year it is predicted to have 15,000 patients – and this number is likely to hit 18,000 patients by 2025. Mr Mok said they had been looking for a new site for years.
He said during the meeting on October 5: “We have outgrown our current premises as there are no longer enough rooms for the GPs and pharmacists, physios, social prescribers and care coordinators. “We are also keen to provide other services for example ultrasound services.
“From bitter experience, we are aware that if this site is not approved it will take more years to move forward to any alternative sites and I believe it will be too late then for the new patients that will be coming in. This is frustrating as we are forward-thinking and have a clear vision.”
Tamar Feast, a trustee of Beeston Civic Society, said: “Demolishing Oban House and replacing it with a building of substandard quality, character and design constitutes to piecemeal erosion of these conservation areas plus the total loss of a valuable building and its mature trees.
“I understand Manor House’s need for greater capacity but their needs and the cause of more than 800 local petitioners, 125 objections, are not mutually exclusive. Oban House should be and could be conserved, repurposed and extended.
“Please don’t make this one of the 50,000 buildings the UK demolishes each week, Beeston has already lost more than its fair share.” Councillor Hannah Land (Lib Dem), is a Bramcote councillor and occupational therapist at the Queen’s Medical Centre and said she was “conflicted” by the plans.
She said: “I know the immense pressure that our services are facing, some of which are happening because people can’t access GP services quick enough. I have a lot of sympathy for the case for a bigger surgery.
“Yet we are faced with designs which I am less convinced are in keeping with the surroundings. Once this building is gone, it’s gone and there is no bringing it back.
“The reality is if we don’t expand our GP services and expand room for the hospital services to come out to your communities, we are going to be facing more bed crises and more critical incidents being declared. My colleagues at City and QMC are working so hard to keep things going under very difficult circumstances.”
Councillor Lydia Ball (Con) added: “I think it would be heartbreaking to pull that building down without us being a bit more open minded and looking at this further. It would be a great shame for that area.”
Councillor David Watts (Lib Dem), chair of the committee, raised issues over the conservation area, design, the loss of the trees and the lack of biodiversity gain.
He said: “I absolutely recognise the need for a better surgery and more space for the practice. Just because there is a need, it doesn’t mean this solution is the right one.”
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