Former doctor's surgery to be converted into flat

Plans to convert a doctor's surgery into a flat have been approved. The former Woodlawn Surgery, in High Street, Partridge Green, will now be transformed into a one-bedroom, ground-floor apartment. The application was given the green light by Horsham District Council.

The change comes after the surgery, part of a building originally constructed as a family home, was closed due to low patient engagement. The site has been vacant for 12 months since the closure. The Sussex Medical Officer supported the closure, noting the availability of other medical facilities nearby.



The Woodlawn Surgery, bottom right, seen in 2009 (Image: Google) Despite efforts to market the premises for alternative commercial use, the property remained unoccupied, prompting the request to revert the space to its original residential use. Today, the building houses five separate residential units, with the former surgery becoming the sixth. The new apartment will include a separate bedroom, an open plan living and kitchen room, a dining/snug room, and a toilet and shower room.

Read next: Remembering the infamous 'Battle of Brighton' between the Mods and the Rockers The flat will also have one off-road allocated parking space. During the planning process, concerns were raised about the loss of a community building. West Grinstead Parish Council objected to the proposal, citing neighbourhood plan policy five, which generally does not support the loss of existing community buildings unless continued use is deemed unfeasible.

An image of the surgery's interior (Image: Lewis & Co Planning) Detailed evidence provided by the applicant showed an active nine-month marketing campaign, during which the property was promoted across all major commercial property platforms, on-site signage, targeted agent outreach, and social media. The council's planning report noted that the original planning permission had restricted the use of the premises to a doctor's surgery, limiting potential alternative community uses. Read next: Caravan site allowed to operate all year round During the marketing period, the surgery received six viewings, all from parties solely interested in residential conversion.

No viable interest was shown for continued commercial use of the premises. It was also noted that alternative medical facilities are available within close proximity. The report concluded that the change of use would be acceptable in principle.

The new one-bedroom unit will occupy the easternmost section of the ground floor, mirroring the existing residential layouts within the property..