It is claimed no expansion or improvements would create ‘serious risks’ to people’s healthcare
Huge plans have been submitted to expand Derby’s Vernon Street Medical Centre(Image: Healthcare Design/Derby City Council)
Uncertainty surrounds whether “vital” plans to expand a Derby GP surgery can go ahead after a decision was delayed. Permission was sought in the summer for Vernon Street Medical Centre, off Friar Gate, to undergo a “critical” expansion to help provide healthcare for thousands more residents.
Surgery bosses said doing nothing to improve the building will pose “serious risks to both patient safety and access to care” with plans to find a new home not materialising.
Plans include expanding the rear of the building and making alterations internally including knocking down walls to create more rooms. The surgery says plans to expand are a response “to the growing patient demand that has significantly outpaced the capacity of the premises”.
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However, the surgery is in an 1840s Grade II Listed building and within the Friar Gate conservation area. This, therefore, means Derby City Council will pay particular attention to the desirability of preserving the building, its setting and the features which make it special. Due to its listed status, conservation experts are part of the consultation process.
Planning documents by the surgery’s management team said the construction of the nearby £75 million Friar Gate Goods Yard redevelopment has prompted “renewed urgency” for the expansion plans to move forward.
It said: “Without immediate investment and proactive expansion, we face the real possibility of having to close our patient registration list, posing serious risks to both patient safety and access to care. This application represents a critical step to ensure that Vernon Street Medical Centre can continue to meet the health needs of a rapidly growing population.”
It is hoped the expansion will increase clinical capacity from seven to 15 rooms. It adds the development will enable an estimated 230 additional appointments per week “which is vital for managing our current and projected patient list”.
An initial target date for a decision to be made was for the end of September. However, this has been delayed due to concerns emerging about the specific plans surrounding its design.
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The council has raised “strong” objections and has recommended refusal if changes are not made. This is because the council believes there is a “large degree of very harmful impact” with the proposals.
Its urban design and conservation team says internal walls proposed to be torn down “are important in terms of historic fabric and therefore part of the significance of the listed building”.
A document says: “There is a harmful impact to significance in their removal. It is strongly suggested that these rooms remain as they are. “
The council added there is “some concern about the heavy visual appearance” of the extension from York Street. The surgery said the building’s graded architectural features “will be carefully preserved and respected throughout the redevelopment”.
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