Plans for a new £3.7m health centre development in near Stroud have moved a step closer.

The driving force behind the new centre, NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group's (CCG) Primary Care Commissioning Committee, has given its formal approval to the plans.

It means that subject to planning approval from Stroud District Council, the new Minchinhampton centre could be operational by autumn 2021, providing GP services to around 9,000 patients.

Helen Goodey, director of primary care at NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: "We are delighted that this development is moving forward.

"The new health centre would be modern, spacious and environmentally friendly with good access for people with disabilities and better facilities for children and families.

"It would enable doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals to offer a broader range of services to patients."

Dr Tristan Cooper, GP partner at Minchinhampton Surgery, said: "We outgrew our current building some years ago. Having the right space and modern facilities would give us the base we need to meet the ever-increasing health and care needs of our patients and ensure that we can continue to provide high quality services for years to come."

According to the trust the local population is also set to increase over the next 15 years, putting still more pressure on the service.

If given the go-ahead, the new centre will be built at Vosper Field on Cirencester Road and have up to 53 car parking spaces.

The extra space would be used for additional consulting and treatment rooms which would enable the practice to meet growing demands and extend the range of services it can provide.

This would include more support from pharmacists, counsellors, dementia nurses and mental health practitioners as well as better access to minor operations and a range of clinics, such as respiratory and sexual health clinics.

Additional meeting rooms would also enable more doctors, nurses and other health care professionals to receive training and educational updates whilst the improved reception and waiting areas would be more comfortable for patients and staff alike, with better levels of security and areas for privacy.

This development is part of wider plans to improve GP premises across the county.

The planning application will be made in January 2020, and it is hoped that approval will be granted in April 2020.