PLANS for a new building to house two commercial units on land behind a Cotswold doctor’s surgery have been approved despite concerns over hazardous parking.

Stephen Perry and Elizabeth Caines were granted permission by Cotswold District Council on July 10 to build the new single-storey building to the rear of South Cerney Surgery in Clarks Hay, South Cerney.

The proposals for a new building to provide up to two commercial units was recommended for approval by officers.

The planned new building is for Class E use which is a commercial class generally covering shops, offices, gyms, restaurants, workshops and other types of commercial buildings.

However, there was opposition to the proposals from several residents and Councillor Juliet Layton (LD, South Cerney Village) referred the plans to the planning and licensing committee.

She raised concerns about the random parking situation at the site.

“You can get 18 to 19 cars there,” she said. “There is parking now on Silver Street and on the other side over and across the bridge.

“Parking has got much much worse fairly recently. The Old George, the pub, has introduced Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras to ensure that only their customers use their car park.”

However, those in support of the scheme say the new building would “tidy” an “incomplete” development and bring order to the “random” parking on the site.

They also say two extra retail units in the centre of the village should be welcomed and the development shows big improvements to the layout and will help increase custom for other shops in the area.

Objector Christine Hall, who lives near the site, addressed the committee and said they welcomed the lower roof but they still have concerns as the proposal is just eight feet from their home. The footings will be dug very closely to their dry Cotswold stone wall, she said.

“We request that if planning permission is granted any damage to the existing boundary be rectified using the same materials currently used,” she said.

She also said there would be fewer parking spaces and delivery and bin lorries could impinge on the parking.

Colin Godfrey, another South Cerney resident, objected over the impact of the proposals on the doctors’ surgery and said there would be seven fewer parking spaces for patients.

He also raised concerns over the proposed roof slope. Mr Godfrey said it was not in keeping with the village which is characterised by having steep roofs.

Planning agent Andrew Pywell spoke in favour of the scheme which he said successfully addresses all of the concerns raised. He said the two proposed units would enhance the centre of South Cerney and create jobs.

“The local centre is currently served by a private car park with spaces allocated to tenants as part of their lease agreements,” he said.

He said there were currently 12 spaces available and the car park has no lined bays which can sometimes increase the site’s capacity.

But the proposals include installing lockable bollards to ensure parking for tenants with customer parking available on a first come first served basis.

The committee voted to approve the proposals by five votes to one with two abstentions.