New doctor’s surgery approved for Biddenham, near Bedford to replace two part time surgeries in Bromham

Cllr Sian Woodfine, who chairs Bromham Parish Council objected on grounds that there were no public transport links from nearby Bromham which is set to lose two small, part time surgeries.

“We don’t dispute the need for more GPs but it should be accessible to all, not just car owners,” she told Monday’s meeting of Bedford Borough Council’s planning committee.Dr Ankur Khandelwal, speaking on behalf of the application, said the new surgery would offer many more services, which were needed.

“It’s so exciting because all of this is possible and it’s a very easy business case to get through commissioning,” he said. It would offer mental health services as well as hospital consultant consultations and X rays.

He said that GPs at the new surgery would offer home visits to patients who were unable to travel, as well as extended hours.

Cllr Roger Rigby (Cons, Bromham and Biddenham) said he had concern about the building’s designs and a lack of parking for 15 consulting rooms as well as the 60 bedrooms for the nursing home.

The development would also have a bistro and hairdresser’s open to the public. He urged the committee to refuse the application as a way of persuading

Council planning officers however see the parking provision to be acceptable.

Cllr Max Roydon (Lib Dem, Putnoe) proposed accepting the surgery plan, with Cllr Wendy Rider (Lib Dem, Brickhill) seconding. It was unanimously approved by the committee.