GPS in Stow have pledged to work with the developers of a new doctor’s surgery in the town to ensure patients in the town have access to the services they need.

Earlier this month Cotswold District Council’s planning committee turned down an application for a new surgery and five homes at land on a gipsy site off Oddington Road saying it would spoil the amenity of the area of outstanding natural beauty.

Instead members approved a rival outline application for an adjacent site at Tall Trees - which does not include any housing.

Although doctors and residents in Stow have long campaigned for the Oddington Road site to be approved, saying the current building in Well Lane has become unfit for purpose, partners at the surgery have pledged to work with the developers of the Tall Trees application to develop the new surgery the town needs.

In a joint statement the surgery’s three partners Drs Timothy Healy, Judith Thornett and Paul Sherringham described the permitted application as “a great opportunity to develop the services and facilities our patients need”.

“At the July planning committee meeting we explained our concerns over this development, but we are very keen to continue our meetings with the owner of Tall Trees and her agent to overcome these,” they said.

“We feel there is no reason why a successful outcome cannot be achieved, but clearly the NHS need to be reassured over plans for a facility and that this provides value for money before they will support it.

“We need to be reassured that we can deliver a fit for purpose primary care service to our patients.

“We have today, Wednesday, July 15, outlined to Tall Trees how successful discussion can continue and are excited at the prospect of a positive outcome.”

The current surgery has been said to be only a third of the size of what would be expected for a town with Stow’s population – slightly more than 2,000 people – while access and parking is difficult for the disabled.

Although the council’s planning committee said they were not against the principal of a doctor’s surgery at the Oddington Road site, location of the town’s twice-yearly horse fair, members did oppose the five new houses also included in the plan.

In the approved application the surgery will be placed to the south of the site with access off Maugersbury Road – a previously refused plan had the surgery building to the north of the site.

To view the details of the Tall Trees plans visit www.cotswold.gov.uk and search for application 15/01718/OUT.