CONSTRUCTION of a new multi-million pound medical centre in West Bridgford could start in the spring.
Notts County Primary Care Trust says the £8 million surgery in Wilford Lane will bring benefits to patients when five GPs' practices come together under one roof.
Around 30,000 patients are registered at Ludlow Hill Surgery, Southview Surgery, Trent Bridge Medical Practice, and Compton Acres Medical Centre – which will merge – and Musters Medical Practice, which will operate as a separate practice within the new centre.
The plan was approved by Rushcliffe Borough Council's Development Control committee on Wednesday night.
Dr Trevor Mills, from NHS Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County, said: "We are delighted the council is supporting these plans.
"This project is being led by a group of West Bridgford GPs who have been working together for a number of years to develop and extend the range of services offered to patients.
"The new health centre is good news for the 28,000 patients registered with these five practices who, at last, can look forward to receiving comprehensive care in high quality, up-to-date surroundings."
The health trust says work is expected to begin on the site by May.
However the new health centre has proved controversial among patients.
Many have campaigned against it, saying it is the wrong location.
Councillors at the meeting were also divided on the plan, with eight voting in favour and seven against.
The meeting heard that four of the practices are so dated they wouldn't meet Care Quality Commission guidelines which come into force in March and could be closed.
Health bosses say the new centre will not only meet the new guidelines but also offer patients a greater range of local services such as physiotherapy, minor surgery, phlebotomy and extended GP hours.
A new pharmacy will be included in the building along with a coffee shop.
Campaign group Patients Against Surgeries Move (PASM) had presented councillors with an alternative plan ahead of the meeting.
However planning officers at the meeting told councillors that they could only decide on whether to approve or reject the plan that was before them.
PASM member Jake Jackson said he was disappointed with the decision.
Mr Jackson, 62, of Villiers Road, West Bridgford, has moved from Trent Bridge Medical Practice to St George's Medical Practice in Musters Road since the merger plan was announced.
He said: "I think this is the wrong decision.
"I think councillors didn't inform themselves enough of the alternatives, despite the paperwork we put their way.
"We were saying the site at Rectory Road ambulance station is going to become free, and should be focussed on.
"We put forward drawings and showed it could house three surgeries conglomerated, and Compton Acres and Trent Bridge surgeries could stay as they are.
"We've said all along it's a bad decision, a bad location, and the impact will be on patients.
"They will not like going to there and I think at the point when all the surgeries start to transfer patients will leave."
