PLANS to build Bicester's new 'super-surgery' could get the green light today.
Under the scheme, Langford Medical Practice and Victoria House Surgery – both run by Alchester Medical Group – will move into a new site in Graven Hill with Montgomery House Surgery and Ambrosden Surgery.
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The proposed 3,350sqm building has been called Bicester Health and Wellbeing Hub.
Planners recommend Cherwell District Council approve the proposals under conditions, including Section 106 agreements.
The facility is designed to serve between 50,000 and 60,000 patients, but when it opens 40,000 patients are expected to be served.
The three-storey hub will have 69 patient rooms, a new highway access road, an ambulance bay, a service bay and a mobile medical unit bay.
It will also provide more GP and nurse training, allowing it to become a Teaching & Training Centre of Excellence.
There will be 223 parking spaces, along with many EV charging points and secure facilities for bikes.
ALSO READ: County councillors still say proposed Bicester 'super-surgery' is in wrong location
In the past, there was controversy about which area of the town the 'super-surgery' should be built in, with some people wanting it in Kingsmere, and others preferring Graven Hill.
Graven Hill was announced as the 'preferred option' by Alchester Medical Group GP Dr Toby Quartley in September 2019 who said Graven Hill would cope better with traffic than Kingsmere.
A group of Bicester county councillors however are still concerned that the town's proposed health hub is in the wrong location.
Councillors Les Sibley, Donna Ford and Michael Waine said in a joint letter submitted to this paper in November that they support the hub in principle, but that access to the hub will be a problem.
People have also expressed their concerns about this, particularly in respect to Rodney House roundabout.
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Andrea Tarlton, who lives in Ambrosden, said: "I object on the basis that the Rodney House roundabout, and it's current design, in particular relating to the traffic flow to Graven Hill, is currently not fit for purpose with the current volume of traffic.
"Additional traffic volume as a consequence of this proposed development will significantly increase the risk of more incidents at this roundabout."
Hannah Hammond-Scotty, from Ambrosden, said: "While I welcome the addition of the new doctors facilities at Graven Hill, I believe improvements would be necessary for help people reach the facilities safely and easily."
Permission will be decided at the Cherwell planning committee meeting today at 4pm.
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