A new GP surgery situated by the National Archives site is set to increase its opening hours

The move comes after NHS guidance said GPs should extend access to their services to include evenings and weekends.

The Richmond Medical Centre opened a new site on the Levett Square development in December last year after closing the North Road Surgery.

The new development is primarily residential and is nearing completion, with one bedroom flats on sale for approximately £490,000.

However, planning permission from 2015 said the surgery was not allowed to open later than 6pm during the week, 1pm on Saturday or at all on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Updated NHS guidance now requires GPs to extend access to their services to ensure availability during peak times of demand including bank holidays and across the Easter, Christmas and New Year periods.

Richmond Medical Group applied for the changes to respond to patients’ needs in line with the NHS Long Term Plan.

With the approval of new plans for the Mortlake Brewery site last month, there will need to be more provision in the area.

While there were 248 representations supporting the proposal, there were also 50 objections to the extension.

Many residents were concerned about the increase in noise and disturbance on the development, lack of public transport to the site, and a health risk due to the increased numbers of sick people visiting.

Nevertheless, the council approved the changes unanimously.

The surgery will now be allowed to open 8am to 8pm Monday to

Friday, 8am to 5pm on Saturday and not at all on Sunday and Bank Holidays.

However, it is unlikely the surgery will be open late every night as Richmond Medical Centre said they do not currently have the staff to facilitate this.