PLANS to relocate an under-threat GP surgery to a vacant property have been approved in a major boost to a south Cumbrian village.

The Lake District National Park Authority has approved plans from John and Helga Barr to offer the Oak Bank in Haverthwaite as an ‘emergency’ GP surgery.

Haverthwaite surgery, which is located on land at Backbarrow, previously received an eviction notice from its landlord and a proposed 65 per cent hike in its rental lease agreement last year.

Then in October health bosses approved a bid from the surgery to relocate to a nearby premises following a petition calling on the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board to allow the move which gathered more than 1,400 signatures.

A report by planning officers states: “A doctors’ surgery is clearly an important facility which brings significant community benefit. Unlike the current surgery which sits in the heart of Backbarrow, the application site stands outside the settlement.

“In this respect the proposed practice is less well located than the existing. However, I am satisfied it is still well related to Backbarrow and Haverthwaite and the location is not unacceptable.”

The Haverthwaithe GP surgery has nearly 3,000 patients and offers healthcare to people in ‘hard to reach’ areas of western Windermere and Coniston.

The LDNPA has granted planning permission for Oak Bank to be used as an interim general practitioners surgery.

The planning statement says: “The applicants, John & Helga Barr, are extremely passionate about the local community and the all important retention of necessary health services for the semi-rural patient population.

“They have offered the practice emergency temporary accommodation at Oak Bank: subject to a temporary planning permission and reversion under the Town & Country Planning Act being granted by the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA).

“As the commissioner of primary care services for the region, NHS Lancashire, and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) is working with the practice to look at a number of options focusing on ensuring robust services for registered patients both in the immediate short and long term.

“The applicants are working with Haverthwaite Surgery & NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB to determine a permanent standalone solution in the grounds of Oak Bank that satisfies Care Quality Commission (CQC) best practice.

“The ICB understands the population and geographical characteristics of the area and proactively wants to ensure that the needs of the population are met. Disabled access & parking will be made available by optimising the site as best as can be achieved in the immediate circumstances.”

GP bosses already had plans to move with the building thought to be no longer up to the standard set out by mandatory Department of Health guidelines.

Peter Tinson, director of primary care for Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), previously said: “The ICB’s Primary Care Commissioning Committee has approved the application from Haverthwaite Surgery to relocate the practice to ensure that they meet their contractual requirements of having suitable premises.

“We would like to thank the patients of the practice and local residents for sharing their comments and feedback on this issue.”