Appeal lodged after plans for private health centre are refused

An appeal has been lodged with the Secretary of State after plans for a new private healthcare practice to help tackle “shortfalls” in provision in Bath & North East Somerset were thrown out by the council.

The application for Barncare Healthcare Centre at Withy Mills, near Paulton, said it was being developed in collaboration with a group of health professionals from the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

The scheme would see the removal of an existing wooden building at the site next to Bath Road to make room for one with a larger footprint and a second storey, housing three consulting rooms, reception and a staff area.

Core services lined up include GP access, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, and mental health counselling. There is also said to be interest from professionals from ophthalmology, dentistry, nutrition and dermatology.

The application highlighted a clear and growing need for affordable private healthcare in the area, where NHS services are experiencing significant pressure, and said the 10-20% projected population growth in Paulton and Timsbury was not being matched by new healthcare facilities.

But the plans were refused by the council on seven grounds.

• The site is remote with limited potential for active travel or public transport.
• The lack of satisfactory walking and cycling facilities.
• The lack of suitable visibility splays at the access.
• Insufficient evidence to show that similar healthcare provision nearby would not be prejudiced.
• The failure to meet Local Plan policy where a significant extension and intensification of the site would be required.
• The proposal doesn’t adequately show a local need and is in an unsustainable location.
• Insufficient information to prove the necessary 10% biodiversity net gain (BNG) could be met.

The applicants’ appeal statement argues that it is not an unsustainable location within the meaning of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), and the planning officer’s assessment is incorrect in failing to acknowledge the adjacent bus route.

Refusal is said to be “inconsistent” with the approval of comparable development – a nursery approved at Withy Mills.

The applicants say there a is “clear and demonstrable qualitative and quantitative need for the proposed healthcare facility”, which the planning officer’s response fails adequately to address, and the benefits of the proposed development “clearly and materially outweigh any limited and mitigable harm”.

All highway concerns are said to be “technically resolvable”, and the applicants say they are willing to fund and deliver mitigation through a legal agreement.

The statement adds that BNG matters are standard technical details capable of being secured by a planning condition.

A planning inspector appointed by the Secretary of State will be asked whether to grant permission or back the council’s decision to refuse the health centre.