Bishopthorpe GP surgery to become a four-bed house

As previously reported by The Press, the former Old School Medical Practice at 46 Church Lane in Bishopthorpe closed its doors for the final time on July 4.

The practice said it would be providing transport to its sister branch in Copmanthorpe for patients that needed it. 

The former GP surgery at 46 Church Lane, Bishopthorpe (Image: Street View)

A planning application over the site’s future was submitted in February, but then refused.

However, on July 18, a planning application seeking to change the building to a residential home was resent to City of York Council. The application was validated on August 5, and goes to consultation on August 28.

How the new home could look (Image: Planning documents)

The application was submitted on behalf of Judith Bruce, the daughter of a former partner at the practice, Dr Wedgwood.

The application says: “Our clients for this project are Mr and Mrs Ian Bruce. Judith Bruce is the daughter of Dr Wedgwood and is the executor of the estate.

“Mr and Mrs Bruce would like to return to the area and have instructed Bramhall Blenkharn Leonard to explore ideas for conversion to a dwelling on the site.”

The applicants previously submitted a “pre-application” for the same site.

How the rear of the home could look (Image: Planning documents)

They said that advice was given that the original building makes a positive contribution to the conservation area, and that a contemporary dwelling constructed in non-traditional materials – as originally planned – would not conform to the local character.

A fresh application now has a more traditional design retaining the majority of the original building.

“Renewable technologies are proposed including an air-source heat pump, solar array (panels) on the southwest roof slope and battery storage,” the application says.

“Reasons for refusal was the scale of the rear two storey extension and loss of legibility of the original dwelling.

“The new proposals have omitted this element of the design limiting the southerly range to a flat roofed single story. The overall design and materials are otherwise retained as these were seen as being acceptable in the refusal notice.”