Patients at the Millbarn Medical Centre have welcomed proposals to combine their services with the Simpson Centre at a new site on the A40.

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.

David Tippins, chairman of the Millbarn Patient Participation Group said: “The Millbarn Patient Participation Group (PPG) welcomes the application for Planning Permission for new premises. The PPG has been working closely with Millbarn on these plans and is satisfied they represent an improvement for patients.

“We are pleased that the excellent service already provided by Millbarn will be maintained and distinct, whilst benefitting from closer working with the Simpson Centre and the new Primary Care Network. The new premises will be a vast improvement on the cramped and ageing existing site and will provide a much more modern and flexible patient experience.”

The proposals were slammed by some local residents when the plans were unveiled at the end of June, who claimed that the location for the new site was dangerous.

Geoff Gudgion from the Beaconsfield Society said at the time: “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.”

Butler’s Court School is one of the schools close to the proposed development. School governor Rohit Shukla also opposed the plans, saying when they were announced: “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.”