Contacted by Daniells Harrison Chartered Surveyors in relation to a live planning application, we were instructed to respond to highway authority comments and support the proposed expansion of the existing GP and Dentist Surgery by a further 12 consulting rooms.
The Brief
The brief was clear from the outset, with Hampshire County Council highways officers requesting detail of the traffic and parking impact of the additional consulting rooms, justifying the development not meeting maximum standards permissible under the 2002 standards.
Our Approach
Fundamental to the case was establishing a clear baseline position relating to the existing parking provision relative to demand for the surgery and dentist operation, establishing a bespoke and site-specific parking ratio to reassure the Council and indeed committee members that the proposals would sufficiently meet future needs.
Parking surveys were carried out, and combined with an accessibility appraisal to demonstrate that the surgery was well connected to its catchment area through walking and cycling opportunities, with supplementary public transport options, to justify a reduction from the maximum standards.
Trip rate analysis was also conducted to demonstrate the vehicular traffic impact on the local road network would be acceptable, with some peak period traffic also likely to be part of an onward journey and ultimately with more opportunities on site there would be less need for patients to travel further afield to access care.
The Result
Planning consent was granted in 2020 with the extension and alteration works completed in 2022, allowing more in house clinics with visiting practitioners including dieticians, counsellors, cardiologists, podiatrists, audiologists and physiotherapists amongst others, reducing the needs for patients to travel further afield and better serve the community in one space.