COUNCIL planners have said it’s “early days” in discussions over whether GP surgeries will relocate to a proposed health hub planned at the golf course site.

Residents raised their concerns at a virtual consultation event on the South West Maidenhead development site that they may have to travel further to see a doctor.

Potential plans could include the NHS closing existing GP surgeries in the town centre and move them to one place, known as a health hub, at the Maidenhead golf course site, which is earmarked for over 2,000 homes.

Ian Manktelow, principal planning policy officer, said it was “early days” to confirm this relocation will happen as the Royal Borough is still in discussion with the NHS and Clinical Commissioning Group on what might be the best solution.

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He said: “I think what we don’t want to do as a planning authority is prescribe a health care solution. It’s really important that the experts ultimately say what works best in this part of Maidenhead.

“So, we’re really open to alternatives that either involve relocating surgeries or maybe set up a surgery that primarily meets the needs of the development and perhaps the immediate surrounding areas.”

But if plans were to come forward, GPs and the NHS will conduct a public consultation to gather views from patients and residents.

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Meanwhile, planning consultant Ian Gillespie said they are seeing a national trend of GP surgeries relocating to a health hub with a wider range of services within those facilities.

The council is still consulting on the South West Maidenhead supplementary planning document that will provide further guidance and information on future planning applications at the site.

Residents have until August 17 to have their say.