The Concord Medical Practice in Braydon Avenue, Little Stoke, has submitted a planning application for an extension that will see its floorspace more than double in size.
Management at the 12,300 patient GP practice have been exploring options for expansion for a number of years and an initial planning application was submitted in December 2008, only to be later withdrawn after officials at South Gloucestershire Council deemed it unacceptable on the grounds of “massing and architectural style”.
The scheme proposed in the original application incorporated four residential apartments, a number reduced to two when the application was resubmitted in March 2009. That scheme was approved by SGC in May 2009 but has never been implemented and its three year validity will expire next week.
The latest proposals, which don’t include any residential apartments, would see the gross internal floorspace of the GP practice increased from 533sqm to 1519sqm, while the tenanted pharmacy would increase in size from 67sqm to 104sqm.
The bulk of the new floorspace will be in an L-shaped three-story extension to the north-west of the existing building, consuming a staff car and landscaped areas.
The existing car park at the front of the building will be enlarged to increase the total number of spaces available from 22 to 31.
Stoke Gifford Parish Council has raised no objections to the latest plans but has asked that existing traffic calming measures on Braydon Avenue and the access into the site incorporating the Little Stoke Social Club are reviewed as part of the proposed works.
Four consultation responses have been received from local residents, who raise concerns over the lack of parking at the practice and the consequent proliferation of on-street parking along Braydon Avenue by patients and staff. Mention is also made of the existing traffic chicane on Braydon Avenue, close to the practice, which one resident says should be removed and replaced with speed cushions.
Little Stoke Social Club points out that its phone line will be disturbed by the height of the new three-storey building and asks that any extra maintenance costs arising from increased usage of its shared access road are “shouldered equally by all current and future users”.
Councillors on SGC’s Development Control (West) Sites Inspection Sub-Committee are due to visit the site tomorrow (Friday 11th May) at 10:45am [agenda].
The Journal has learned that the practice has also applied for a time extension on its 2009 application, which was due to expire on 15th May 2012.
If granted, this will form a “fall back” position for the applicant in the event that the latest application is refused.
Planning permission for the surgery expansion has now been GRANTED.
See the decision notice here: PT12/0712/F
Minutes of the planning meeting on 24th May at which permission was granted have now been published.
http://council.southglos.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=27907
Item 14 refers.
According to the minutes, Stoke Gifford Councillor Keith Cranney raised an objection on transportation grounds but voted in favour of the application, amended by a number of conditions, when it came to a vote.
The surgery has also been granted a time extension on its 2009 application.
The decision notice will appear here: PT12/1668/EXT
The surgery has successfully applied for permission to extend the opening hours allowed by the PT12/0712/F application to:
“Monday to Friday 07.30 – 22.30 and weekend opening Saturday and Sunday 08.00 – 22.00”
With the following justification:
“The GP surgery is expected to offer access to GP facilities by statute for a longer period than stated in the planning condition. The surgery is expected to offer access for emergency appointments up to 22.30 during the week and 08.00 to 22.00 on the weekend. The ‘after hours’ appointments will be on a reduced occupancy.”