A large Victorian building lauded by conservationists could soon be demolished to make way for a new GP surgery. Oban House on Chilwell Road, Beeston is set to be demolished so that Manor Surgery can build a new facility, with Broxtowe Borough Council planning officers recommending the proposal be granted permission at a planning committee on October 5.
The Manor Surgery is currently located in Middle Street, in Beeston, but it has been proposed it should relocate to an entirely new site. This is because the patient list, which currently sits at 13,000, is expected to grow to 18,000 by 2025.
If plans are approved construction will begin later this year with completion of the community clinical facility delivered by early summer 2023. Conservationists in the town have strongly opposed the plans to demolish the historic property.
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Beeston and District Civic Society, which previously petitioned against the plans, in a planning document said: "Whilst the society supports Manor Surgery’s quest for new, larger, premises, and also support Oban House as the location for their new leasehold, do not support the loss of Oban House, or the design of the replacement building.
[Beeston and District Civic Society] would support the retention of the building following renovation, and extending to the rear, which would be more sustainable. [Beeston and District Civic Society] considers that the loss of Oban House results in significant harm and is a threat to the character of the conservation area (designated heritage asset); additionally, the design of the new building, which takes its reference from the Parish Church, being ecclesiastical rather than medical in design, competes unsuccessfully with the church. The new building would not result in a positive visual impact.
"A petition with 225 signatories, against the demolition of Oban House, was submitted as part of the objection. The demolition of Oban House, felling of mature trees and reduction in boundary wall would negatively contribute to the boundary treatment and character of St John’s Grove and Beeston West End, and would negatively impact and damage the character, vista and setting of the Grade II listed church."
The plot of land Oban House is built on was first purchased in 1881 by a man called Frank Wilkinson, a lace trader and entrepreneur born in Hucknall, before the actual property was erected in around 1890. Mr Wilkinson, whose name is still remembered to this day through nearby Wilkinson Avenue, had built the Anglo Scotian Mills in Wollaton Road and at one stage the business employed more than 1,000 people.
At the time Anglo Scotian Mills was the largest net curtain factory in Europe. It is understood Oban House was first used as staff quarters for management at the mills and rented out by working professionals.
The Ancient Monuments Society and the Victorian Society also objected to the plans. Broxtowe Borough Council’s conservation adviser acknowledged that usually an application for the demolition of a 'positive building' located in a Conservation Area would be strongly resisted, but as the proposed replacement is to be a doctor’s surgery, the officer said a "much greater scrutiny of the balance between harm and public benefits must be exercised".
In a report ahead of the Broxtowe Borough Council planning committee, a planning officer said: "The proposed development would have no significant impact in terms of neighbour amenity and highway safety.
"The benefits of the proposal are that it would provide a replacement medical centre which would be capable of accommodating a larger number of patients in terms of both existing needs and as projected following increase in residential developments in the area; would ensure that the medical centre is accessible to all users and remain in a sustainable location; and would be accommodated in a purpose built building which would be constructed so as to meet BREEAM rating of ‘very good’.
"This is afforded great weight. The negative impacts are the loss of a non-designated heritage asset within and adjacent to conservation areas; impact on Grade II Listed Building and setting of the St Johns Grove Conservation Area; which are considered to constitute substantial harm. This element is afforded significant weight, but, due to the buildings status as a non-designated heritage asset, cannot be considered, in the view of the officer, to be more weight than the benefits."
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