A TORY MP has vowed to “cut through bureaucracy” and press for a new GP surgery to serve a huge new homes development in the Rochford district.

Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, grilled Tracy Dowling, the new boss of the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board as he called for more GP services to meet demand.

As part of plans to build 662 homes in Ashingdon Road, Rochford, developer Bloor Homes agreed to provide funding as part of plan to build a new surgery in the area.

However, Mr Francois has raised concerns that the money “is sat on” and is set to have further meetings to ensure a new surgery is built to help residents.

In addition to the surgery, Mr Francois is seeking an expansion of the existing Riverside Surgery in Hullbridge, due to further housebuilding in that area as well.

Mr Francois said: “We had a very positive discussion with Tracey Dowling and her colleague.

“The ICB now helps oversee NHS services, but there is an issue whereby developers pay over money to build new GP facilities, yet, the ICB - and its predecessor organisations - then just sit on the funds.

“We need to cut through all of this bureaucracy- and we are hoping to meet again next month, for exactly that reason.”

The meeting was also attended by Conservative councillor Ian Foster who is also supporting the campaign for the new surgery.

Alongside discussing the issues with Ms Dowling, the MP and councillor met with executive director of strategy and partnerships, Emily Hough.

The Bloor Homes development was strongly opposed by residents and Mr Francois and Mr Foster are adamant the GP should be built so existing residents can see the benefit and the new homes do not put further pressure on infrastructure in the area.

Work began on the first houses last May with the first 233 homes set to go on sale in the summer.

These works saw 233 houses built with those properties going on sale in the summer.

The original application by Bloor Homes for this new estate in Ashingdon Road was refused by Rochford Council in June 2021.

However, an appeal was lodged with the government planning inspectorate and the plans were approved despite concerns raised by both the council and residents.