Plans for a doctors’ surgery and three new homes on the site of a former psychiatric hospital, which campaigners tried to save from closure, are going to committee once again.

The application for the Henderson Hospital site, in Homeland Drive, has been brought back to Sutton Council’s planning committee following “lengthy and protracted” discussions.

First put forward in August 2018, it was deferred because committee members wanted additional information relating to the Section 106 (S106) agreement.

The council’s opposition leader Cllr Tim Crowley proposed the motion for its deferral because “private and confidential” information that was handed out to councillors before the meeting should have been given out in advance.

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But following further talks between applicants Assura Medical Centres Ltd and the council, the plans are back for councillors’ consideration on April 24.

The application was first submitted in August 2017, more than a year and a half ago.

Assura Medical Centres Ltd wants to construct a mixed use development comprising a two-storey doctors’ surgery and three four-bedroomed homes.

The site would also have 25 parking spaces, cycle parking, as well as off-street parking spaces and three visitor spaces with access off Hardegray Close.

At the ground floor level of the proposed GP surgery there would be baby changing rooms, a reception, toilets and a waiting room.

There would also be five consultation rooms and two treatment rooms, alongside other utility spaces, according to a council report.

Meanwhile, the first floor would have space for administrative, office and storage rooms for the surgery.

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The report, which recommends for the plans to be approved, reads: “The proposal would provide both an up to date medical surgery for the existing Belmont Surgery in accordance with Sutton CCG’s strategic need and would be in accordance with the site allocation for the former Henderson Hospital site in the Sutton Development Plan 2018.

“The applicant has agreed to pay a commuted sum in lieu of affordable housing, which in this instance is considered to be acceptable.”

The Henderson Hospital site is one of several locations across Sutton which have been earmarked by Sutton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) for redevelopment.

In the Sutton Local Plan it’s outlined that there are desires for the submission of a new application for a “smaller health facility” on the site.

The former psychiatric hospital was first shut in 2008, before being demolished, and was part of the old Belmont Hospital which has been turned into housing.

Sutton Guardian reported that year how politicians and ex-patients tried to pressure the NHS into reopening it, however, their campaign proved unsuccessful.