WINCHESTER civic chief Stephen Godfrey has given reassurances over the future of a new doctors' surgery.

St Clement's Surgery in Tanner Street is due to be relocated as part of the £150 million Silver Hill scheme.

Planning permission has been give for it to be built on the car park at the corner of Friarsgate and Upper Brook Street.

City councillor Rose Burns asked a question at Council seeking assurances that the relocation would satisfy the doctors and cause no inconvenience or loss of service to its patients.

Cllr Godfrey replied: “The council has obtained a planning consent for a new surgery for the St Clements practice which would provide facilities which far exceed in quality those of the existing surgery building.

"This planning consent may have to be reapplied for given the delays to the project caused by external factors, but assuming it is not opposed for reasons unrelated to the provision of medical facilities then the granting of a new consent should be straightforward.

Cllr Godfrey added: "The GPs have been fully consulted on design and are extremely excited by the prospect of new premises for their patients. The city council intends to procure and deliver the new surgery itself and this requires a detailed business case to be presented but the Head of Estates expects that such a case can be made, if needs be taking into account the benefits of new primary health care facilities to the well being of the community."

"The procurement and construction of the new surgery is on the critical path for delivery of the overall development and the developer is well aware of the requirements for healthcare provision to be provided without disruption or delay.

"On the other hand, if Silver Hill does not go ahead, the council may have to make difficult decisions regarding the acquisition of property and the payment of relocation costs at public expense and on the basis of an alternative business case.”