PLANS for a multi-million pound Stourport Medical Centre to replace two of the town's doctors' surgeries have been given the green light.

Stourport Health Centre and York House Medical Centre will be merged into a new state-of-the-art facility in Dunley Road, expected to be up and running by spring 2021.

Stourport Medical Centre will be located south of the town bridge, near to The Old Beams Pub, and will feature 76 car parking spaces, electric car charging points and an on-site pharmacy.

At a meeting of Wyre Forest District Council's planning committee this evening (Tuesday), members heard that the two existing practices required relocation "as a matter of urgency", with the lease at Stourport Health Centre set to expire in March 2021.

Mr Robson, a resident of Dunley Road, spoke out against the plans at the meeting, saying the thought of losing Walshes Meadow green park had left him "shocked with disbelief".

He said: "Everyone I have spoken to in Stourport is of the same opinion. Our park is a beautiful green one. I'm sure residents of Kidderminster would not want to lose Brinton or St George's Park."

Mr Robson also raised concerns over the impact of an extra junction on existing traffic congestion on Dunley Road, and said increased footfall on the narrow bridge footpath would result in an "accident waiting to happen".

But Dr Tristan Brodie, Stourport GP and NHS Wyre Forest Clinical Commissioning Group governing body member, said the proposals presented a "unique opportunity to secure a state-of-the-art medical centre for the people of Stourport".

He said at the meeting: "When I say unique, I mean that quite literally.

"This development has two major constraints - the funding from NHS England requires us to finish building by 2021. Without that money, the project becomes completely unaffordable to the CCG and cannot progress.

"Also the lease at the current building expires in 2021."

Dr Brodie added: "We may never get this funding again. We must seize this opportunity."

Speaking to the committee, Councillor Nicky Martin said she found the application "difficult" but accepted the proposal would be a "big benefit" to the residents of Stourport.

Council leader Cllr Graham Ballinger said the plans represented an opportunity for Stourport "to come in line with new centres at Bewdley and Kidderminster".

Cllr Marcus Hart agreed the application site was not perfect, but said the land being lost could not be compared to Brinton Park.

Cllr Chris Rogers said Stourport was "crying out" for a new health centre, and Cllr Sally Chambers added: "It's the best we're going to get at the moment. It's just unfortunate the money is so time-aligned."

The planning application was approved on the grounds that the number of bicycle spaces be increased from 20 to 26.

Stourport Medical Centre will care for 21,500 patients.