PLANS to open a doctor's surgery in a semi detached house in Huncoat have got the go-ahead from councillors.

Planning officers had recommended refusing the conversion application from Doctor A Kapenda on highway safety grounds.

But councillors on the development services committee said that social need in the area outweighed the lack of car parking.

They granted a three-year permission to use the house in Lowergate Road as a doctor's surgery during which time the traffic situation will be monitored.

Doctor Kapenda said his patients in Huncoat had requested a branch surgery because of hardship.

The younger age group have children and the elderly are housebound without transport.

Pressing for the three-year permission, Councillor Dave Parkins said: "It is a much needed facility in Huncoat. "Everybody knows there is development going up all over in Huncoat and the social need is there.

"We don't want to wait three or five years. We want it now."

Council leader George Slynn said: "We have to emphasise we are going against technical officer advise because the social need outweighs the traffic deficiencies."

Councillor Len Dickinson said: "They always had a doctor in the village in Huncoat and they are only getting back what they used to have before and what they need.

"We have a social conscience. We are not just looking at technical items and what the planners think. Our brief is to look after the residents of the area."

The practice will consist of one doctor, a receptionist and a practice nurse manager, with the surgery being run on an appointment basis.

The committee was told that other conditions might need to be imposed on the planning consent.

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