Over £1m Funding Approved For Long-Awaited Southbourne Surgery Expansion

Plans to extend Southbourne GP Surgery with a new two-storey building have been described as “well overdue” after years of delays.

Chichester District Council’s cabinet has recommended releasing £1.17 million to NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board to fund the long-awaited project, first proposed in 2019 but held up by Covid and planning issues.

Councillor Oona Hickson said the expansion had been “a massive source of frustration” and that costs had “ballooned” over time, while Councillor Tracie Bangert added it would be “very welcome” to local residents who have seen little new infrastructure despite recent housing growth.

The funding includes £1.1 million from the Community Infrastructure Levy and £71,000 from NHS contributions, with work expected to take up to two years once planning approval is granted.

Council leader Adrian Moss said he would write to NHS officials to raise concerns about delays and communication over the project.