THE DERELICT former police station in Warwick looks set to be demolished to make way for a new medical centre – which would see surrounding surgeries close.
Warwick Police Station in Priory Road shut its doors in 2013 and has sat empty ever since.
But now planning permission looks set to be granted to Dudley Taylor Pharmacies to knock the building down and build a three-storey medical centre in its place.
The new surgery would see nearby Priory Medical Centre and Cape Road Surgery close, and patients also accepted from Brese Avenue Surgery – which would remain open.
The building would include 20 consulting rooms, a pharmacy, a theatre for minor operations and several treatment rooms. There would also be parking for 30 patients and 14 staff.
Warwick District Council’s planning committee looks set to approve the plans at a meeting on Tuesday (February 26).
A spokesman for the developers said: “There is an overwhelming need for a new medical centre to serve the community of Warwick.
“The existing surgeries are over capacity, not fit for purpose and there is no scope to extend. The location of the site to the existing surgeries provides the ideal solution, furthermore there are no alternative sites that are suitable within the proximity.
“The building is of significant public benefit and will provide a modern healthcare facility that will satisfy Warwick’s growing primary healthcare needs into the future.”
The centre would be open between 8am and 6pm Monday to Saturday
Around 20 letters of objection were submitted to the council, with people saying the proposed building was too big and modern, and they were also concerned about increased noise, traffic and lack of parking provision.
But nearly 70 people supported the plans, saying the development was much-needed, the site was sustainable and accessible, and would meet local need.
Developers acknowledged concerns about parking but said due to the close proximity of the surgery to the town centre, most people would use public transport or could use town car parks.
