MONEY for a new doctors’ surgery in Wickford could be lost if the plans are not revived, a councillor has warned.

Malcolm Buckley, Conservative county councillor for Wickford Crouch ward, helped secure £500,000 from Essex County Council for the new surgery in Market Road.

Plans were put forward for the new surgery, but were thrown out last month by councillors on Basildon Council’s planning committee, sparking a row between the Tories and Ukip.

Mr Buckley has received assurances from county council leader David Finch the money will be ring-fenced for the scheme, but only for a limited time, sparking fears it could be lost for good.

Mr Buckley said: “I have contacted Basildon Council leader Phil Turner, who recognises the need in Wickford for this modern, expanded facility, and he will do what he can to deliver for Wickford residents.”

A cross-party planning committee voted against the £2million surgery plans last month, citing lack of parking and concerns about road safety.

But the vote was divided along party lines, with the three Conservative members being narrowly outnumbered by the four Ukip and Labour councillors on the committee.

The scheme had been given outline planning permission last summer and would have seen the existing London Road surgery relocate to the new building.

Mr Buckley said a long-term decision is particularly important because the lease on the London Road site is due to run out.

He added: “The surgery is on premises which are not disability compliant.

“They are in a position where they are just holding over on the current lease with the goodwill of the landlord.

“But he won’t want that to continue and sooner or later the surgery will have to either committo a long-term lease or move out.”

This month’s local elections saw the Tories gain one seat, but fail to secure an overall majority on Basildon Council.

Mr Turner said he hoped to negotiate a Conservative majority on the planning committee, in talks to form an administration, which would allow the Wickford surgery plan to be approved.

'PROPOSALS NEED TO BE CHANGED' 

CHANGES must be made to the GP surgery proposal before it is acceptable, according to a councillor who voted against the plan.

David Harrison, Ukip councillor for Wickford Park, was one of the four committee members who voted against the application last month.

He said: “At the planning committee, I made it clear I am not opposed to the surgery going to the market site.

“We have got to get it right in terms of the planning regulations.

“If a new proposal is put forward, it needs to provide more parking and be set back from the road, with facilities for ambulance drop-offs.”

Mr Harrison also claimed the Tories are not being open about their intentions for the rest of the market site.

Basildon Council’s five-year land supply report, published in March, has earmarked the site, between Market Road and Woodlands Road, as a possible location for 35 homes.

The report claims it would be “realistic” for building to take place by 2019.

Mr Harrison said: “The council needs to come clean about what is planned for the rest of the site, because it is residential.”