Former GP surgery could be demolished – but councillors want it put back into community use

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Nearly two years after it closed its doors, the former GP surgery in Lansbury Park could be demolished.

However, councillors want the building to be put back into community use.

The  surgery closed in April 2020 following the retirement of Dr Fakande and has been vacant ever since.

Despite the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board advertising for a new GP to take over its running, no one applied for it.

Last month, a planning application was submitted by Kier Construction to demolish the building.

If the application is approved, demolition will take place on March 28, 2022.

A decision is expected to be made by the council on February 23.

But Councillor Christine Forehead, who represents the St James ward, where the surgery is located, said she does not agree with the demolition and is instead calling for the building to be used as a community hub.

Cllr Forehead said: “Losing the surgery was a big blow to the community, and now this. I am very worried we will end up being the most deprived place again.”

In 2014, Lansbury Park was named the most deprived area in Wales by the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation. In 2019 it was ranked as third most deprived.

Cllr Anne Broughton-Pettit, Van Community Councillor for Lansbury Park, said residents want the surgery to become a wellbeing hub,  holding mother and baby meetings, or drug and alcohol support sessions.

Cllr Broughton-Pettit said: “The building should be looked at to see if it can be converted before it is demolished.

“If it is unsafe and needs to be demolished, then it should be replaced by something that will make the lives of residents better.”

Cllr Broughton-Pettit said she intends to start a petition objecting to the demolition.

The full application can be viewed on the council’s website.