NHS Hampshire chiefs have warned that building 52 retirement flats in Boorley will put extra pressure on medical centres, which cannot cope with  extra patients.

Developer McCarthy Stone submitted plans for a new retirement complex on Winchester Road in Boorley Green in August 2024.

The development would include 32 one-bedroom and 20 two-bedroom retirement apartments, complete with communal spaces, including a residents’ lounge, a reception and office area, and a guest suite.

The plans also include 43 new parking spaces, including four to serve the houses, and each resident will have access to electric charging points.

Two three-bedroom, two-storey detached houses are also planned south of the site, opposite Macdonald Botley Park Hotel and Spa.

Concerns were raised at a meeting held by Botley Parish Council about the proposal’s impact on health services in the area.

Now, NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB), which plans services, has warned that the current combined medical centres providing primary care have “insufficient capacity” and “will not be able to absorb the increased patients arising from the proposed development”.

The three closest GP surgeries to the development will register 68 new residents.

Therefore, the ICB proposed that the “only way” to mitigate the impact is by extending the existing practices at the Hedge End Medical Centre or The Living Well Botley Surgery.

“This may be done through reconfiguration or extension to either surgery, or the contribution may be pooled towards a future Hedge End Health Hub,” the ICB said.

It added that without the expansion, the proposed development would “put too much strain on the said health infrastructure, putting people at risk”.

“Waiting times would increase and access to adequate health service would decline, resulting in poorer health outcomes and prolonged health problems.”

The ICB also said that it will impact primary care and have a “knock-on effect” on emergency services, adding additional pressure to the “already stretched” care.

According to the NHS figures, it is in the catchment of Hedge End Medical Centre, Living Well Partnership: Botley Surgery, and Living Well Partnership: St. Luke’s Surgery, which have a total capacity of 14,342 patients.

The current patient list size is 25,813, which is already over capacity by 11,471 patients. The development will result in the addition of 67 patients.

The ICB has assessed that a contribution of £17,485 towards increasing primary care infrastructure is necessary to make the application acceptable in planning terms.

Resident Penelope Williams said there is no requirement for further housing since “there are sufficient retirement homes already in the surrounding area”.

Graham Hunter said that the site is remote, poorly served by public transport, and has no nearby healthcare or adequate retail.

David Diaper supported the plans and said it is a “great opportunity” to create a hub for older residents.

Antonia Parker, an older resident of Fair Oak, has always worried about where she might “end up living” when she becomes unable to manage her garden.

“I don’t want to have to move away from my family and friends, and the council should back this type of development.”

Eastleigh Borough Council will consider the application on March 3 and make a decision later that month.