A KEY medical centre in Littleport is set to expand further to offer more services to the village’s growing population, despite concerns about it being a potential eyesore.

A MEDICAL centre in Littleport is to expand despite concerns about it being a potential eyesore.

St George’s Medical Centre, on Parsons Lane, has been given permission by East Cambridgeshire District Council to erect two large cabins for extra surgery space and a new pharmacy.

The permission was granted despite the concerns of the county conservation officer, who said the design quality of the cabins were not good enough and more suited to a “building site”.

St George’s is home to more than 30 medical staff, including six doctors and four nurses.

In 2010 it expanded from a basic GP’s practice to offer minor operations in purpose built theatres and it also runs fertility clinics in partnership with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn.

In its submission to council planners, the centre said the new cabins, taking up a total of 113 metres square, would be well-suited to the site and would have a minimal impact.

Developers said: “This type of building was chosen for its ability to provide an urgently needed increase in working space within a short time period. The prefabricated nature of the units results in a minimal impact on the environment.”

Conservation officer Lorraine King disagreed and claimed the “overall style of the buildings is that which is more commonly found as temporary office space on a building site and is not appropriate for a permanent addition to such a prominent building within the streetscape.”

The council has, however, approved the cabins for a three year period while a permanent solution is found.