By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans for a historic building to be demolished to make way for a new doctor’s surgery have been criticised by a local heritage group.
Beeston’s Civic Society says it would be “disappointing” if plans go ahead to flatten Oban House in favour of a new doctor’s surgery.
But the practice manager at Manor Surgery says they are currently “stretched to the limit” and that “Beeston will suffer” if they do not get larger facilities.
The practice, based on Middle Street, was intended to serve 7,500 patients but by 2018 it was serving 13,000.
Plans submitted to Broxtowe Borough Council propose that a new Medical Centre including a pharmacy and car parking are built on the Oban House site, a stone’s throw from the Manor Surgery.
The Civic Society has launched a campaign and a petition against the plans to demolish Oban House, which was built in around 1890.
Applicant Dr Louis Mok wrote a letter to the planning committee stating that this is a “rare one-off opportunity” for the surgery to relocate to a nearby location.
The application states that 2,000 homes are planned for Beeston as part of the Local Plan which will have a “large impact” on the practice list size.
It states that there is a need for three additional GPs, three nurses and extra support staff.
But Tamar Feast, a trustee of Beeston Civic Society, said they have put forward a proposal to renovate the building and extend it to the rear.
She said: “We are not against the proposal for Manor Surgery to expand, we know Beeston needs more GPs.
“We want Beeston to thrive, but not at the expense of heritage.
“We don’t want to lose this lovely heritage building and we have lost a lot of them in the past.
“It could be a fabulous-looking asset and there’s no reason to believe it can’t be retained and extended.
“If Oban House is lost, it will be disappointing. The new building is not suitable for its setting in a conservation area.
“It needs to be suitable and sympathetic to the area.”
Adrian Taylor, Practice Business Manager at The Manor Surgery, said: “We’re stretched to the limit with our current building.
“I want a purpose-built future proof facility that will take us into the next 30 years. The plans we have got give us more surgery space and they will make an attractive place for doctors and nurses to practice in the future.
“It’s an exciting time for Beeston as a place to live and commute. We’ve got young families, older people and a lot of care homes in this area, as well as all the new builds which are being planned.
“If we don’t have facilities ready in two to three years’ time, Beeston will suffer.”
The application stated that using the existing building was considered, but “regrettably” it was discounted as the surgery needs a bigger building than the space provided by Oban House.
The application added: “The partners are in full support of the proposals to relocate the practice a short distance to the site of Oban House on Chilwell Road, to deliver larger, future-proofed, totally up to date and compliant primary care premises designed to serve the ever growing population in and around Beeston.
“It is quite clear that the existing provision at Manor Surgery does not have the space nor provides the quality of accommodation to meet this significant growth.”
