Briefing Note for new Driffield surgery

Dr David Wigglesworth and the Bridge Street Practice have supplied the following Briefing Note which was circulated at the successful meeting with residents on Thursday night.  All residents had a chance to fully air their views and raise objections with the Doctors and the Developer.  Full notes from the meeting are posted on the separate page entitled "Lockwood Street Planning Application".

Proposed Lockwood Street Development - Meeting with Local Residents and Applicants

Thursday July 17th 2007 @ 7pm - Masonic Lodge, Lockwood Street

 

Briefing Points

  • Invitees to the meeting are ;- local residents, representatives of Neja Estates, representatives of Bridge Street Surgery, Driffield Town Councillors (planning), ERYC local Councillors
  • Application has been made by Neja Estates Ltd and Bridge Street Surgery for Outline planning consent, to establish the principle of the development of a Primary Health Care Centre and residential properties
  • The land is presently owned by ERYC
  • The outline planning application has followed a long process of discussion and negotiation between the applicants and ERYC, and also internally within the planning, development, and highways departments of the Council. A strategic review identified a number of issues to be addressed prior to application and these were resolved.
  • The ERYC wished to see a proposal for development of the site as a whole, not piecemeal
  • Neja Estates Ltd and Bridge Street Surgery as applicants, recognise, and do understand that local residents may express concerns about some elements of the proposal. We would wish to work with local residents and the planning department to resolve those issues as far as possible
  • The Bridge Street Surgery identified 5yrs ago that it was necessary to move to a new site in order to overcome the severe space constraints within the present premises. The new development of a Primary Health Care Centre will enable the better provision of clinical services, more integration with other health and social care, and the opportunity to develop other clinical services locally. Additionally the planned educational facility will enable the teaching of medical students, junior doctors, and other health professions.
  • The site layout has been indicated to provide as little visibility intrusion as possible. Landscaping and planting will enable an aesthetic layout and further screening. Adequate parking at the Health Centre will ensure that there would be no need to use local roads for parking.
  • Traffic flows and parking are the main concern expressed by local residents, and we were aware that this would be a major issue. These concerns highlight a pre-existing concern about on street parking and traffic flows in Lockwood Street which have been present for a number of years. We feel that there is an opportunity here to work together with local residents and the council to resolve these traffic and parking issues now and for the future.
  • The approach road to the Health Centre has been mentioned as a concern and we can look at ways of reducing the impact on those houses nearest to the road.
  • The residential development, which includes by requirement a low cost housing element on the site, is subject to complex technical guidance. At this time there has not been full local interpretation of the national guidance. There will therefore be opportunity to influence planning decisions through comments to the application.
  • Finally, should outline planning consent be given for the principle of the development of a Primary Health Care Centre, and residential properties, on the site, there will be further opportunity to comment on the layout and design of the developments at the full planning application stage.

 

Bridge Street Surgery

Neja Estates Limited