GP surgery to be part of new superstore scheme (From Daily Echo)

GP surgery to be part of new Sainsbury's superstore scheme in Bishop's Waltham

4:33pm Thursday 20th May 2010 in News

GP surgery to be part of new superstore

A NEW £1.6m surgery is to be built in a Hampshire town as part of controversial plans to open a supermarket.

Sainsbury’s bosses will pay to relocate Bishop’s Waltham Surgery to the Abbey Mill site if their plans for a supermarket are given the green light.

But the move has angered the Bishop’s Waltham Action Group (BWAG) who claim residents are being “bribed” by the superstore.

If built, the new surgery would have increased capacity, improved disability access, a larger waiting area and increased opportunities for physiotherapy and outpatient services.

Andy Moulam, business manager at the surgery, said: “We are grateful to Sainsbury’s for opening up this possibility of creating a greatly improved surgery which would make a significant contribution to healthcare in the community.

“This is a great opportunity for us and we are excited about the many benefits that the new premises could bring for us and our patients.”

BWAG said they have received an “unprecedented amount of complaints” from residents following the announcement.

Tony Kippenberger, BWAG’s chairman, said: “It comes as no surprise that Sainsbury’s use financial inducements to make their proposals more palatable. It’s what the supermarket giants do. We still believe the Sainsbury’s planned superstore is fundamentally wrong for the town and if anything this new development further threatens the viability and vitality of the town centre while adding still more to the potentially horrendous traffic problems.”

The new surgery would be owned by the practice and financed partly by sale of the existing surgery site at Lower Lane. The balance would be provided by Sainsbury’s who would build the surgery as part of their construction contract.

A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said: “One specific allegation that has been made is that the new surgery is a bribe. First of all, the idea for a new surgery on the Abbey Mill site came from the doctors, who approached us to ask whether they could be accommodated on the site.

“Our proposals may or may not be approved by the city council. However, if they are approved, this agreement between ourselves and the doctors will achieve a significant benefit for the local community without having to wait for PCT funding which, in the current national funding climate, may not be available for many years to come.”

The relocation plans are currently under discussion and will be submitted as part of Sainsbury’s planning application, which is expected in the next two months.

For more information contact Sainsbury’s community information line on 0845 602 1151 or the Bishop’s Waltham Action Group at