DOCTORS and patients in Stow dismayed at Cotswold District Council’s refusal to grant planning permission for a new, larger GP surgery in the town have arranged a public rally for this Saturday.

Despite the existing Stow Surgery in Well Lane long being considered too small to deal with the amount of patients in the town, the council’s planning committee refused permission for the larger premises on field off Oddington Road, site of the twice-yearly horse fair, last week.

Now campaigners have called a public rally and open forum, to be held in Stocks Green, The Square, outside the Old Stocks Hotel, from midday on Saturday, April 18.

In a statement posted on the surgery’s website, Dr Tim Healy said the refusal may mean the closure of the centre altogether.

“Our surgery is a third of the size expected of a practice with our population,” he wrote. “Rooms are too few and too small.

“Access for able-bodied is poor due to the terrain and inadequate parking and for the disabled is very difficult.

“We are expected to take on more work as the government moves care out of hospital and demands improved access. “

In our cramped environment we struggle with our present workload and will not be able to take on more.”

A Cotswold District Council spokesman said: “Negotiations are on-going between Cotswold District Council officers and the applicants who recently submitted applications for the development of a replacement surgery at Stow.”