New GP surgery car park given the go ahead by council

Millview Medical Centre on Sleaford Road, Heckington, had applied for permission from North Kesteven District Council to create a new car park on a grassed area to the side and rear of the surgery with a new Tarmac access to the highway through a hedgeline.

More hedgerow will be planted to make up for this.

It is expected to create an additional 20 spaces, giving 41 in total for the surgery site. The car park itself will be surfaced with a mesh filled with gravel and bollards will prevent cars driving behind the building between the old and new parking areas.

Heckington Parish Council has backed the plans stating: “The current car parking facilities are limited causing users of the medical centre to park on the road. Neighbouring residents have previously commented to this office that the on road parking causes them difficulties. Off road parking should help alleviate this issue.

“The parish council originally transferred this piece of land to Millview with one of the conditions being that it would be used for additional parking, therefore the council would support this application.”

A neighbour who lives opposite, Dr Sarah Money, claimed the roadside parking is more of habit and convenience and hoped that the proposed landscaping is more suited to a rural space.

Richard Higgs, secretary and treasurer of the Heckington Area Voluntary Car Service, commented: “The present car park has limited spaces with only two disabled priority spaces and often all the parking spaces are full, forcing our drivers to park on the Sleaford Road. As the majority of our passengers are either elderly, disabled or infirm this causes them distress.

“When there is a parking space available, exiting the car park is a dangerous manoeuvre due to the steepness of the exit ramp and the lack of vision due to the street furniture. Our charity wholeheartedly supports this planning application.”