A GP surgery serving more than 10,000 patients could be turned into a block of six flats and a house if a planning application is approved.

Dr Vandana Sharma, owner of Princes Road Surgery in Wimbledon, has submitted a proposal to convert the detached Victorian property into two-bedroom flats and a three-bedroom house.

The development would also include a basement excavation and a three-storey turret-like extension at the junction of Trinity Road.

Dr Sharma said plans for the site arose after Merton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS England suggested the existing practice move to a larger site, making space for more nurses and services.

She said: "We want to expand and provide more services for the patients. Our patients have to go upstairs and it's not easy for elderly people.

"In the eventuality plans go ahead there will be a change of use, but patients come first."

Negotiations are underway to move the practice into the nearby Patrick Doody Clinic in Pelham Road but this is unlikely to take place for at least a year.

Residents have expressed concerns about the loss of the health facility and design of the proposed development.

Trinity ward resident Kim Dawe said: "The plans are quite hideous and do not look like they are in-keeping in appearance or design with the local landscape.

"A basement flat would be quite unacceptable. The only positive is that there are four car spaces on the plans."

She added: "As the Pelham Road health centre is not too far away it wouldn't be a problem for me but I know that the more elderly or infirm patients would find it quite a trek."

A planning application for an expansion of the site into a larger medical practice was approved in May 2005, but the extension was never carried out.

Gregory Thomas, of Princes Road, objected to the scale and height of the proposed new development.

He said: "To preserve the character of the period building and surrounding area, the development should be contained as much as possible within the original Victorian structure rather than merely maximising the potential number of dwellings on the site."

The property lies just outside the South Park Gardens conservation area.

A spokesperson for NHS England said: “The current premises are not fit for purpose and do not comply with certain regulations, which is why we are looking at relocating the practice locally, so it can deliver primary care services in a safer environment.

“Princes Road Surgery has been exploring a potential move for a while, however, we are only in the early stages of formal planning and will consider all available options for the future of this practice.”

Residents have until Sunday, September 14 to comment on plans on Merton Council's planning website, under application number 14/P1235.

Are you a patient at Princes Road Surgery or Patrick Doody Clinic? Are you in favour of a merger?

Contact the newsdesk on 0208 722 6335, or e-mail louisa.clarence@london.newsquest.co.uk.