St Luke’s Area redevelopment will include a new GP surgery after the NHS demanded a new facility to deal with its growing population.
The NHS has warned that Bunhill’s only GP practice, the City Road Practice cannot cope with the ward’s population, which is expected to increase by 4,000 in the next 12 years.
To tackle the issue, Islington council has requested a new facility to accommodate a larger GP practice and additional community health services.
An NHS England spokesperson said: “The development of new housing in the Bunhill area has led to increased demand on medical services in the area.
“Together with Islington CCG and the London Borough of Islington we have found that a new facility is required.”
The council admitted this was “challenging” due to the current use of the land, as well as its increasing value in the property market.
As well as the new GP practice, the plan includes the development of extra council homes and a new leisure centre.
Islington Council said: “Rebuilding the facilities, and incorporating the energy centre and a nursery, will free up space for new homes and improved public space across the site.”
The plans have come under some criticism from local residents, who have petitioned against overdevelopment in the area.
One petition, with 836 supporters, argues that the council’s plans to bulldoze four football pitches will “remove what is arguably the best local advertisement for youth sports that South Islington has.”
However councillor Janet Burgess, executive member for health and wellbeing, said the plans were necessary.
“The existing Finsbury Leisure Centre needs around a million pounds spent over the coming years to maintain the facilities that are currently on offer,” she said. “Doing nothing is not an option.”
Digital journalist student Interactive Journalism at City University London.
@AshleyKirk92