
John Lewis flats scheme in Reading will overwhelm GPs, NHS warns
The NHS's opposition was laid out in a letter to local planning officials, which said: "None of the GP practices in the local area would have the capacity to accommodate new patients generated from the proposed development."The Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB), which is the NHS body responsible for running local hospital trusts, said nearby GP practices were already over capacity.The BOB ICB said it had secured a site for a new healthcare facility near to the development.However, it said it needed an extra £185,000 to help open the site.Discussions are ongoing between John Lewis and officials to potentially plug this gap.John Lewis Partnership said: "Having been a committed part of the Reading community for 50 years, our priority is ensuring our proposals directly support the local community."As part of our discussions with Reading council we will agree the payment which councils normally receive from developments to fund local services and infrastructure."A spokesperson for Reading council said: "We are aware of the request from the NHS and are working with the applicant to achieve the right outcome for Reading and its residents, which may include additional funding to help meet identified public health needs in the area."If approved, construction could start in early 2026.
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