Plans to build a new GP surgery on a busy road in Beaconsfield have been slammed by local residents, with one objector claiming that developers ‘mustn’t wait for the first school run fatalities before taking action.’

Proposals have been submitted by developers to build a new two-storey medical centre and a single-storey pharmacy on the A40 at the junction with Walkwood Rise.

The new surgery would mean that two existing practices in Beaconsfield, the Milbarn Medical Centre and The Simpson Centre, will be relocated to the new purpose-built Primary Care Centre on the site.

Developers claim in planning documents that the “two GP practices involved with the project currently occupy premises within the town that are too small and not fit for the delivery of modern healthcare services.

“With the benefit of the proposed purpose built facility and fully compliant clinical accommodation, each GP practice will be able to operate more efficiently and provide a wider range of services to their combined patient list, which is currently circa 20,000 and forecast to increase to 25,000 within the new ten year.”

Local residents claim however that the location of the new development is dangerous because of the close proximity to the A40.

Geoff Gudgion from the Beaconsfield Society said: “Beaconsfield needs the surgery, but not at the cost of a choking gridlock around our schools. The planners need to rethink this one and ensure safe access; a roundabout, perhaps, or traffic lights, with direct access to the surgery from the A40 not a residential road that’s already at capacity.

“They mustn’t wait for the first school run fatalities before taking action. And while they are about it, they should bring forward proposals that are in keeping with the surrounding residential area; pitched roofs and brick, not stunningly ugly glass and concrete.”

Geoff concluded “I’m afraid this is another example of how detached local government has become from the Beaconsfield community. Residents deserved to be consulted about a proposal of this significance, not find out about it through word of mouth."

Butler’s Court School is one of the schools close to the proposed development. School governor Rohit Shukla also opposed the plans, saying: “A large proposed development will negatively impact the Walkwood Rise/A40 junction.

“We believe that the vehicular access point to this proposed development will lead to a fatality. Walkwood Rise/A40 is already a major school route for parents dropping children to local schools, school buses, school staff drivers, and pedestrians including children.

“This is addition to further urban encroachment of our beautiful green Beaconsfield.”