A GP surgery which narrowly avoided being closed down has been put up for sale, prompting further fears for the future.

NHS England was looking to shut The Gore Surgery, in The Gore, Basildon, but after a campaign by residents and councillors they decided to keep it open.

However, the surgery has now been listed for sale, marketed by Dedman Gray.

Although buyers would have to comply with the current lease arrangement, the lease expires next year, meaning it could be then be closed and the land redeveloped.

The property is due to be sold at a public auction at the Southend Airport Holiday on December 6 and it has a guide price of £150,000.

Mike Gray, director of Dedman Gray, said: “The property will be sold as an investment.

“The new lease holder will abide by the terms of the lease so residents can be assured the property will continue to run as a medical surgery.

“The new owner will have the opportunity to further develop the property, so there’s a possibility of expanding the existing premises. It all depends on the agreement between the NHS and the new owner.”

Rachel Webb, locality director for NHS England Midlands and East (East) said that currently patients are unaffected by the sale.

However, this could change.

She added: “To ensure NHS England has the flexibility to consider other potential options for primary care medical services in the area before 2025, there is a break clause in the lease agreement.

“However, at least six months’ notice would need to be given by either party to break the lease and, the earliest it could end is 28 September 2018.

“It is NHS England’s role to consider the health needs of the local population and the services and premises that are required to meet these needs.

“Having a break clause in lease agreements gives the NHS greater flexibility in delivering services and ensures money is not wasted on premises that might not be required in the future.”

Labour councillor Andrew Buxton, representing St Martins, said: “The current use of land is ‘medical use’, which means the new owner needs to keep it running as a surgery.

“The property is for investment purposes and hopefully the new owner will invest it back into The Gore to improve its facilities.”