DOCTORS will struggle to cope if plans to demolish a surgery to make way for a block of flats are approved, councillors have warned.

An application to knock down the London Road Surgery, in Wickford, and build a block of nine flats on the site has been submitted to Basildon Council.

The existing practice will move to the old market site, in Market Road, as part of a new £2million health centre.

David Harrison, leader of the Wickford Independents, questioned the sense in building more homes while getting rid of much needed GP surgeries.

He said: “We all know about the lack of medical centres and health centres in Wickford and this planned move will not help that issue.

“We have various plans for new developments in Wickford, and we need more health services and centres to cope with them.

“I think that the issue of the amount of health centres in the town needs to be addressed long before we approve any more new homes and developments.

“There are a lot of small developments in Wickford, but they all add up. We also have the very large development at the Runwell Hospital site, and the people living there will be coming to Wickford for health care and treatment.”

The council previously approved outline plans for a block of eight flats at the London Road site in 2010, but progress stalled.

Don Morris, Tory councillor for Wickford Castledon, does not believe the development is needed.

He said: “I don’t think that people in Wickford want to buy flats.

“These people want to buy bigger properties such as houses. There isn't a demand for flats in the area."

The former market site has been fenced off, with work on the new health centre expected to begin in the coming weeks.

Peter Holliman, Wickford Independents councillor for Wickford North, believes the town centre will struggle to cope once it opens.

He said: “As we know not all planning applications come with the infrastructure that is needed for the development.

“Market Road will be a high density populated road and there will only be one road serving the doctors surgery, community centre and other community spaces.

“It’s a shame but it seems that we are losing our open spaces and community areas to let people breath and enjoy the outdoors.”

The Echo contacted the London Road Surgery for a comment.