New £3.4m GP surgery to be built on old school site

Councillors have agreed to fund a new GP surgery in Great Barford, Bedfordshire

A new £3.4m GP surgery is set to be built on the site of a former school.

Bedford Borough Council approved the new facility in the village of Great Barford, close to Bedford.

It said it plans to knock down the Great Barford Lower School building, on Silver Street, opposite the existing surgery and build a new larger practice with a car park.

The council will provide £1.9m with the rest set to come from the developers building 500 homes as part of the Millfield End scheme.

The new surgery will be built on the site of Great Barford Lower School, which will be demolished

The council will also provide £470,000 to help cover the costs of the planning permission application, demolition of the existing building, and associated pre-demolition work, it added.

Conservative councillor Martin Towler, portfolio holder for neighbourhoods and communities: health and wellbeing, said: "We're committed to ensuring that all our residents have access to high-quality health facilities, regardless of their age, sex, background, or whether they live in our towns or villages.

"I know that the people of Great Barford will welcome this step forward, and that it will be a huge positive for future residents too."

A final decision lies with the Integrated Care Board, following engagement with patients, and the GP practice signing a lease agreement, the council added.