PLANS to relocate a Basingstoke GP surgery have fallen through after months of planning.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB) approved plans last year to move Chineham Medical Practice to Jameson House.

The multi-million-pound development would have added a further wing to Jameson House, while internally the building in Lutyens Close would have been refitted to accommodate the practice, funded by the NHS and Assura, which develop and manage a portfolio of primary care medical centres in the UK.

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The new building was sought because the current site of the surgery in Reading Road is no longer large enough and does not meet the needs of the growing population.

However, after almost two years of talks, the ICB has now said the move will not go ahead because it does not represent “value for money”.

The news has come as a blow to Absolutely Holdings, which owns Jameson House.

A spokesperson for the company said: “It is a very sad day that the ICB has seemed fit to withdraw from the agreement to purchase Jameson House, citing the District Valuer’s statement that the building is not value for money.

“Absolutely Holdings received two offers for the property - one of which was for Chineham surgery.

"After discussion, the board of Absolutely Holdings took a philanthropic view to accept their offer, as this was felt the medical centre was needed far more than money.

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“Absolutely Holdings has been working with the investor/developer since February 2021 with terms being agreed in January 2022.

"When the ICB withdrew their offer, it came as a complete surprise. We had not marketed the property and had kept it vacant, fully expecting to conclude a deal with the ICB.”

The news comes just days after a partner at the surgery, Dr Tim Cooper, reassured patients that rumours about a lack of funding for the move were not true.

In a post shared by Chineham and Sherfield Park borough councillor Laura Edwards, he said: “There is no concern about long-term funding for the Chineham estate move and we are working closely with our local NHS team on this exciting project.

“We are actively reviewing our options in light of recent developments and should be in a position to share these with our population and our local councillors in due course. Due to the commercial sensitivities surrounding this, this has taken longer than we had hoped for but we should be [in] a position to share more exciting news with our patients and stakeholders shortly.”

He added: “Fundamentally our practice needs to find a long-term solution to support the high-quality care our patients currently experience and our partnership team are working flat out to ensure this is the case.”

Sara Tiller, managing director of North and Mid Hampshire, Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB, confirmed the relocation to Jameson House will not go ahead.

She said the ICB has been working with Chineham Medical Practice to secure new accommodation and as part of this process the NHS was required to seek the views of a ‘District Valuer’.

She added: “In this case, the District Valuer determined that plans to refurbish and extend Jameson House would not represent value for money to the NHS. We are therefore unable to proceed with this option and are now working closely with our public sector partners to explore alternative, local, accommodation for Chineham Medical Practice.”

The practice was due to move to Jameson House at the end of this year.

Cllr Edwards said the news that the relocation to Jameson House will no longer go ahead was “frustrating”.

She added: “It was a good location and a big premises and it worked well for the vaccination centre.

“But I do know Dr Tim Cooper is working really hard to find alternative premises. It is a priority and it’s disappointing that they haven’t had the support from the NHS to move there.

“I am concerned that it’s now taking additional time to find a new premises. I had a comment from one resident saying there’s a hole in the roof at the surgery so I do think it’s a concern. They are concerned about getting appointments and parking. Of course, they are worried. It needs to be resolved.”

The spokesperson for Absolutely Holdings said: “Jameson House is now back on the market and is achieving offers in excess of that agreed with the ICB.

“We would like to wish Chineham Medical Practice well and hope that their new premises come to fruition very soon. We would like to thank our local MP, the borough council, our agents and the investor/developer who was the project lead for Jameson House.”

The ICB has been asked how much money has already been spent on the relocation plans to Jameson House, and what alternative sites it is considering.