A doctors in Orpington is petitioning to save its extension after Bromley Council told them it was out of character with the surrounding properties.

The surgery in Windsor Drive, Chelsfield, originally installed an extension in 2012 to cope with what they say was rising patient demand and lack of space.

The extension comprises of three clinical rooms and a disabled toilet however Bromley Council only agreed to partial planning permission allowing for two rooms.

The surgery has appealed the council’s order to change the structure and has a petition to ‘save the extension’ with over 3,500 signatures.

A spokeswoman for the practice said: “We have commissioned architects to assess room availability and patient numbers, and it has clearly shown that there is not enough space to accommodate the clinicians and services in the main building.

“The extension is paramount to the surgery continuing to provide NHS services to its 8,000 patients, and if the extension was to be removed by Bromley Council, it would seriously impede upon or NHS Services and the viability to maintain this NHS Surgery.”

The surgery said they will fight to keep the extension despite an enforcement order to potentially have it taken down.

Henry Pieris, a retired civil engineering consultant and a patient who uses the practice, said: “I have used the surgery since 1978. As we all know, NHS is struggling as it is. So I cannot see the justification of planning objection although I know it is a Statutory Requirement.

“As we all know, mistakes can and do happen. As long as these not due to negligence, the requirements of the development need to be considered in a rational way.

“It is definitely for the greater good.”

The council says the applicants need to come forward with updated proposals otherwise, following procedure, they can begin enforcement orders.

A Council spokesman said: “We have tried to work with the surgery and ultimately, they need to resolve this issue.

“The Council did grant planning permission for an extension and also a further permission was granted in 2014, to provide 2 consultation rooms with conditions, but the surgery chose not to proceed with either of these.

“Instead, they have erected the porta cabin structures without planning permission, with the subsequent application rejected and their appeal dismissed by the independent Planning Inspector, with the reasons given being that the proposal was out of character and the overall impact on the neighbouring property.

“We have met with the applicant to advise them of the planning considerations they need to include in a future application and we expect to receive an application shortly.”