PLANS to expand a town centre GP surgery have been recommended for approval by council planning chiefs.

Members of Test Valley Borough Council’s (TVBC) Northern Area Planning Committee are set to discuss a proposal to expand St Mary’s Surgery on Thursday, 14 September.

If the plans are approved by councillors, after planning officers recommended the plans are approved, the Church Close facility would be set to gain up to four consultation rooms.

The proposals for the surgery involve a two-storey extension at the back of the current facility.

As well as gaining extra office space, the first floor of the surgery will be restructured to create new rooms for patient consultations.

This includes a bigger waiting area and the possible introduction of a doctors’ and a nurses’ room.

A report to be presented at the committee meeting reads: “The proposed extension to the doctors’ surgery would be acceptable in principle and would not have a detrimental impact on the amenity of the neighbouring property.

“The development would positively contribute to sustaining the character and significance of St Mary’s Church and Andover Conservation Area.”

Under the planning application submitted to TVBC, the surgery will gain an extra 61 sqm of floor space.

The majority of the new build will host mostly administrative space, including new offices for the practice manager and deputy practice manager.

The upstairs extension will include a new staff room and toilet and shower area.

The former staff room will then be converted into a second treatment room.

As a result of the extension, four of the surgery’s 31 parking spaces will be lost.

However, practice manager, Sharon Bicknall, said the lost spaces are ones currently used by staff.

Previously talking about the plans, Mrs Bicknell said: “The population of Andover is expanding as is the number of patients registering at St Mary’s.

“In order to continue providing these high standards of care we are exploring potential options to increase the practice’s capacity.”

The public meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, 14 September at Beech Hurst in Conference Room 1 of TVBC’s Weyhill Road offices, from 5.30pm until 8.30pm.

For more information about the meeting, visit testvalley.cmis.uk.com/testvalleypublic/CalendarofMeetings.aspx