Construction of a medical centre in Grove Park is going ahead despite mass opposition from residents who say the council has ignored them.

A 150-year-old home in Chinbrook Road will be demolished and a four-storey medical centre is set to be built in its place.

Plans were approved by Lewisham Council planning committee on August 17, subject to a monetary contribution made to highway safety.

Janine Coughlan was one of more than 80 locals who showed up to object to the plans and she said she felt their opinions weren’t listened to at all.

She said: “It’s really disappointing what they have done. We put all our heart into our opposition.

“We got over 2,000 signatures objecting to it, people turned up to the meetings. We need medical centres but this is one of the most dangerous places to put it.

“I think they were astonished that there was so much opposition. Over 80 of us showed up but it appeared to already be a done deal.”

The opposition group’s primary belief is the area is not safe due to heavy traffic on the busy roads outside the proposed centre and that there will not be enough parking.

The medical centre will have three parking spaces out front, one of which is a disabled bay, with planners saying they expect most people to visit by public transport.

The planners surveyed 176 patients at the current Chinbrook Road Surgery, with more than 89 per cent saying they supported the provision of new services at a new and bigger medical centre.

Opponents have cited several other locations they say would be better suited for a medical centre, such as the Marvels Lane Boys Club.

A Lewisham Council spokesperson said: “We recognise there are strong views, for and against the new Health Centre from Grove Park residents.

"The health centre planning application took four months which meant people living in the area were able to share their views about the new health centre with us.

"After listening carefully to the views of Grove Park residents, we are pleased the application for a new health centre was approved this month."