Plans for a new GP surgery building to serve more than 6,000 patients in Sutton have been given the go-ahead.

The proposals, for a new primary care building to replace the existing premises of Benhill and Belmont Practice branch surgery, were granted planning permission last month by Sutton Council’s planning committee.

The new two-storey building on the former Henderson Hospital site off Homeland Drive will create "modern, purpose-built space" so that the practice can meet the needs of the growing local population, offering patients a wider range of primary care services after outgrowing its existing premises.

It will also allow the practice to expand its existing training functions.

Dr Jeffrey Croucher, GP Partner based at the Belmont Surgery and one of the clinical team that will serve in the new facility said: “This new surgery is a real opportunity to further develop services for patients in an area which is set to grow significantly over the next few years.

"We all look forward now to having the space and modern facilities to evolve the care we can offer to our patients on-site.”

Marian Wingrove, Patient Participation Group lead at Belmont Surgery said: “It’s been a pleasure to be involved so closely with this. Patients have been put at the heart of plans, which means we will truly have a fit for purpose facility which will hopefully serve the local community for many years.”

Simon Gould, Assura’s Head of Development, said: “The role of primary care is only set to grow as the NHS moves care closer to home and expands access to services, and that means GPs need buildings fit for that purpose.

"With the flexibility and space to bring new services into the building, this development will offer a huge opportunity to lead innovation for patients in future.”

Work on the new building is expected to begin early in 2020.