Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers is supporting plans to expand a surgery.

Plans have been put forward for a first-floor side and rear extension at Wood Green GP surgery in High Barnet, with Mrs Villiers claiming there was a “pressing need” to expand GP services in the constituency.

In a letter to Barnet Council planners, she said the proposal would be keeping in line with the conservation area and give the surgery more space.

The letter added: “I understand that over the past five years the patient list has increased by over 1,000. I am in no doubt that this will continue, not least because a large care home is opening just up the road in the premises previously occupied by the NHS and the Marie Foster Centre.

“I have a record of strongly defending the integrity of conservation areas in my constituency. Having considered the application carefully, and discussed it with the GPs at the practice, I believe that the plans put forward are consistent with the requirements of the conservation area.”

Mrs Villiers has also welcomed the resources given by the NHS to increase the number of GP appointments available locally, as well as supporting GP surgery expansion plans.