A new medical centre for Holbeach has passed its first planning hurdle – amid concerns over road safety.
Ward member Coun Francis Biggadike led the opposition to the proposed Church Street location when it came before South Holland District Council’s planning committee last week. He claimed it was too near the junction with Hallgate and “not near” public transport links.
Coun Biggadike, who is not a committee member and therefore could not vote, was also concerned that NHS Property Services had not indicated that the project was deliverable on that site.
However, he and other Holbeach councillors agreed that new GP facilities for the town would be welcome. particularly in light of hundreds more homes planned nearby.
The plan is to bring Littlebury Medical Centre and Holbeach Medical Centre under one roof.
County Highways has so far raised no objection to the site.
Coun Rita Rudkin said: “This part of Church Street is not suitable. I’m astonished that Highways can dismiss this in such cavalier fashion.”
She also queried whether parking for up to 80 vehicles was sufficient and called for other potential sites to be explored.
The site – formerly Langwith Builders’ yard – is occupied by vacant industrial buildings.
Committee chairman Coun Roger Gambba-Jones reminded members that it was the principle, not the detail, which they were considering at this stage.
Coun Bryan Alcock said: “Facilities on a site like that must have a finite capacity. If it’s successful and continues to take people on to the list, you have potential for a problem. It’s very difficult to argue with the principle, but ten years down the line you might have people parking all over the street.”
Coun Gambba-Jones said: “If they [applicant Church Street Surgery Ltd] come back and say it’s for two doctors we’re going to look very silly if we’ve turned it down on parking issues. We will have to wait for detailed information about expected number of users and whether that will impact on parking.”
Coun David Wilkinson moved planning officers’ recommendation to grant permission, which was seconded by Coun Chris Brewis. It was passed 11-1 on the vote, with only Coun Peter Coupland against.
