Grampound Surgery: planning application submitted for construction of 6 flats on the site in Mill Lane

On 28 May, I took part in a virtual meeting with the parish council, the surgery, and NHS Kernow (the clinical commissioning group) about what happens next. NHS Kernow advised that they had not yet received from the doctors an application to vary the terms of their service contract and this would be necessary before the closure of provision in Grampound could be sanctioned by them.

As soon as I receive any information about an application by the doctors to NHS Kernow for change of service, I will let you know.

Unfortunately, the doctors have already given notice to terminate their lease on the premises in Mill Lane with effect from December 2020. The new freeholders of the building have submitted a planning application to knock down the building and to replace it with 6 flats.

The planning application can be viewed on Cornwall Council’s planning portal and search for application number PA20/04440

Cornwall Council’s Local Plan policies clearly state that:

“Community facilities and village shops should, wherever possible, be retained and
new ones supported. Loss of provision will only be acceptable where the proposal shows:

a. no need for the facility or service;

b. it is not viable; or

c. adequate facilities or services exist or the service can be re-provided in locations that are similarly accessible by walking, cycling or public transport.”

I have, therefore, objected to the planning application on the grounds that the surgery is still a much needed community facility.

If planning permission is granted for this development, it is likely that the site owners will proceed with their plans and it will be difficult to see how a local surgery provision could be maintained within Grampound despite the fact that NHS Kernow has not sanctioned a change of local service provision.

Others may wish to object on other grounds. Please contact me if you would like to talk about this issue; or contact Grampound Parish Council who will, I am sure, have views on this matter.

For results of my survey of the impact of closure of the surgery on local residents, see Grampound residents survey

June 2020

UPDATE 22 JUNE 2020

Email received from the Senior Primary Care Commissioning Manager at NHS Kernow clinical commissioning group:

"I can confirm we have spoken with the practice since we had our meeting and I am due to speak to them over the next week. We have not had a formal application to close Grampound branch surgery but when we do have that I will let you know."

This means that the doctors continue to have a contractual obligation to provide services in Grampound.

UPDATE JULY 2020

Still no application by doctors to CCG to vary services.