![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0_Vernon-Street-Medical-CentreJPG.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe medical centre’s extension has been approved following major healthcare concerns<\/p>\n
16:55, 05 Feb 2026Updated 07:04, 06 Feb 2026<\/p>\n
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Bosses of the Vernon Street Medical Centre in Derby say an expansion is vital to care for the community(Image: Google Maps)<\/p>\n
A GP surgery on the edge of Derby city centre is to expand after a warning that the health of hundreds of people<\/a> was at \u201cserious\u201d risk.<\/p>\n Bosses of the Vernon Street Medical Centre submitted plans to Derby City Council<\/a> last year for a two-storey rear extension of the Grade II Listed premises to help boost healthcare.<\/p>\n In planning documents, they warned the surgery, off Friar Gate,<\/a> \u201cfaced the real possibility\u201d of refusing more patients at a time when hundreds more residents are set to move to the area.<\/p>\n Join us on WhatsApp to get the latest news straight to your phone<\/a><\/p>\n Bosses told the council the surgery had \u201cexceeded operational capacity\u201d and approval of the plans would increase patient numbers<\/a>.<\/p>\n Planning permission was requested to increase clinical capacity from seven to 15 clinical rooms \u2013 effectively doubling the size of the medical centre.<\/p>\n Karen Lloyd, the surgery\u2019s managing partner, said in a statement there were real concerns for patients\u2019 safety if the expansion could not be made possible.<\/p>\n She said around 1,000 residents would soon be living at the new \u00a375m Friar Gate Goods Yard development<\/a>. When complete, they would most likely be registering with the surgery, as it would be their closest one.<\/p>\n Her letter to the council said: \u201cWithout 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThis application represents a critical step to ensure that Vernon Street Medical Centre can continue to meet the health needs of a rapidly growing population.\u201d<\/p>\n Objections were raised that the extension would mean the loss of car parking spaces<\/a>, forcing an increase in on-street parking nearby.<\/p>\n Concerns were also raised that the design \u201cis not in keeping with the local area\u201d.<\/p>\n But Derby City Council planning officers approved the plans and granted planning permission.<\/p>\n A planning officer\u2019s report responded to the concerns but was satisfied that the plans could go ahead.<\/p>\n It said: \u201cThe proposal is not considered to result in an unacceptable impact on highway safety or parking conditions to such an extent that would warrant refusal of the application.\u201d<\/p>\n It added: \u201cWhile there is a small degree of less-than-substantial harm to the listed building and the conservation area, this is outweighed by the public benefits of enhanced healthcare provision.\u201d<\/p>\n The practice previously, together with healthcare partners, explored the development of new premises at King Charles Drive, Mackworth<\/a> but the statement said the project had seen \u201cno material progress\u201d.<\/p>\n Bosses then \u201ctook the strategic step of purchasing the surgery on Vernon Street, with the intention of expanding onsite\u201d.<\/p>\n