Mega-doctors surgery plan for Fulwood moves forward

The former Little Sister's site is set for development - although the main building will be unaffected Pic: Blog Preston — The former Little Sister’s site is set for development – although the main building will be unaffected Pic: Blog Preston

Proposals for a new mega-doctors surgery in Fulwood have been put forward.

HBS Group is tabling plans for the former Little Sisters of the Poor site off Garstang Road.

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The healthcare group bought the site after the nuns vacated it last year and they now want to advance plans for a new state-of-the-art healthcare centre.

Patients from Lytham Road Surgery, Mediacom Surgery, Beech Drive Surgery, Moor Park Surgery and Drs Robb and Robb could soon be treated at the new location, a total of more than 25,000 patients which is expected to rise to 30,000.

The Little Sisters building is being retained in the proposals, following its refurbishment by the Spiral Healthcare group and is to continue operating as a care home.

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Buildings known as Springfield House, which were built later than the original covenant, are to be demolished on the eastern side of the site.

In its place the new three-storey healthcare centre will include a dentists, pharmacy, opticians, cafe and an external courtyard.

The new centre would have the ability to undertake more advanced testing than the current surgeries can do.

This shows the scale of the new building within the current site and in relation to Garstang Road

There will also be extended hours to decrease the pressure on nearby Royal Preston Hospital.

Plans from architects and planning consultants Cassidy + Ashton states the surgery is likely to be open on Saturday evenings and have Sunday opening hours – because of merging all the doctors surgery staff together into one team.

A large car-park is to be created on the site and access to it will be via the northern turn to the site off Garstang Road. Those existing will do so via the existing gate to access the Little Sisters site.

This will become the main entrance into the Little Sisters site Pic: Blog Preston

A statement from Cassidy + Ashton in the planning documents says: “It is concluded that the proposed development of a modern healthcare facility constitutes good design and represents a continuation of the history of care for which the site is well known, in line with the charity’s wishes.”

The full plans can be seen on the Preston City Council website.

Read more: See all the latest headlines for Fulwood

What do you think of the proposals? Do you live in the area? Let us know in the comments below