A NEW doctors surgery and 24 flats could soon be built in Wickford.

The scheme for the former Essex Park Garage, on the A132 Golden Jubilee Way, Wickford, is to be voted on by councillors at a Basildon Council planning meeting next month.

Previous plans to build 87 flats on the site were rejected by councillors, because of fears over the potential danger from cars driving on and off the site to the nearby A132 and London Road roundabout.

Basildon Council’s decision to refuse the application was overturned by a Government planning inspector in May last year.

The developer Robert Mul- holland has now scaled back the number of homes proposed for the site, to three single-bedroom flats and 21 double-bedroom flats.

However, two other non-residential units will also be built.

One building, with 1,400 square metres floorspace, will become the new home of the doctor’s surgery now in London Road, Wickford.

The use of the other building, containing 2,400 square metres floorspace, has not been specified.

The revised plans were welcomed by Alan Ball, chairman of the Wickford Action Group, who is pleased fewer flats are now being proposed for the site. He said: “We don’t really want any flats there, but obviously there is a financial impact developers have to consider.”

Mr Ball added the second building would make a good site for the new health centre planned for Wickford.

South West Essex NHS Trust wants to build a £16.8million health centre in Wickford town centre, which would feature a minor injuries clinic, same-day minor surgery, an outpatient clinic, X-ray department and therapy rooms.

However, trust spokeswoman Georgia Jerram said the former Essex Park Garage site was not a suitable location.

Malcolm Buckley, ward member for Wickford Castledon, opposed the plans for flats and a doctor’s surgery because of concerns over extra traffic using the site.

He said: “We’re of the opinion that any development on that site would be unsafe for the people using it.

“Although it used to be used for a garage, which would have attracted traffic, we would never approve such a use now.”