Village community centre set to be torn down for GP expansion

A “unviable” community centre is set to be torn down to make way for an expanded doctors surgery in a Nottinghamshire village.

Skegby Family Medical Practice, part of Brierly Park Medical Group, submitted plans back in August to tear down Healdswood Community Centre in Mansfield Road, Skegby, in an effort to expand its practice facilities.

The existing GP practice sits right next to the community centre, and now, Ashfield District Council has given the go-ahead on the demolition of the site to make way for its expansion.

According to the council, the community centre was found to be underused and “financially unviable”, as it has been operating at around 16 per cent utilisation and supported “only three regular” groups.

Once this is demolished, a new medical centre can then be built on site, which plans say will mainly be two storeys in height and will address the “significant need” for health facilities in the area due to new houses being built nearby.

The existing GP premises would move out of the existing practice and the existing medical services would be transferred into the new modern building.

It will include seven consulting rooms, six examination/treatment rooms, waiting areas and staff facilities, along with 44 parking spaces, including five accessible spaces.

A spokesperson for NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB said: “Skegby Family Medical Centre [has] a list size of 18,800 patients.

“The Practice has recognised that recent housing developments in the area have significantly impacted on the demand for primary care services in the area and that they no longer have the capacity at their current facilities in Skegby to provide a quality service to local residents.

“They have considered their options, including the expansion of the existing facilities and have concluded that the redevelopment of the adjacent community centre building provides an ideal opportunity to realise the most benefits to patients and staff, and give them the best opportunity to future-proof their facilities going forward.

“By obtaining planning permission for their proposal, Brierly Park Medical Group has made significant progress.”

Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB say it remains in discussion with the medical group to “move the project forward” and Brierly Park Medical Group can now further develop its proposals, including providing final costs, before it submits the plans to the ICB for approval.

A spokesperson for Ashfield District Council said: “Healdswood Community Centre was considered unviable due to consistently low usage levels.

“At the time of the decision, the facility was operating at approximately 16% utilisation and supported only three regular user groups. Despite efforts by the Council to increase bookings and promote the venue, usage remained low.

“In reaching its decision, the Council took into account utilisation levels, operating costs, future liabilities, independent valuation advice, and the opportunity to facilitate expanded healthcare services for local residents through the adjacent NHS surgery.

“The decision was not based on a lack of need for community or healthcare services in the area, but on the most appropriate use of the site for local residents.”