New homes plan would include GP’s surgery (From Gazette)

New homes plan would include GP’s surgery

10:10am Friday 19th March 2010 in

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DEVELOPERS have offered to build a doctors’ surgery as part of the redevelopment of a port.

The proposed facility would replace Rowhedge’s medical practice, in Rectory Road.

NHS North East Essex would have to agree to equip the building in order for the plan to go ahead.

Wharf Land Investments is set to unveil the scheme at a public exhibition in Rowhedge Village Hall, on Saturday.

The company went back to the drawing board when previous plans for 300 homes were turned down by Colchester Council last year.

The new blueprints are restricted to the part of the port which Wharf Land Investments owns. The last proposals included a section to the west which is owned by a different company.

The fresh plans would see about 165 homes built, including flats with shops or offices on the ground floor. Mooring space for dinghies would also be provided along with a new slipway – a ramp which allows boat-owners access to the water.

Rafe Barrington-Holt, from Wharf Land Investments, said the company had taken on board concerns raised when the last set of plans were put on show.

He added: “This application is quite radically different in terms of its design, layout and what is included.”

A new surgery is needed in Rowhedge because the existing one is cramped and more new homes at the port would mean extra patients.

Mr Barrington-Holt said the proposed slipway would be useful as there is an ongoing dispute over rights of access to the only other ramp down to the water.

However, it remains to be seen if the company can win over residents, who are worried about increased traffic on the village’s narrow High Street.

Parish councillor John Sharp said he was interested to see what the reaction would be at the exhibition, between 11am and 3pm, at the village hall, in Rectory Road.

He added: “From the council’s point of view, we know there is going to be some development there sooner or later, so it is about getting the maximum possible benefits out of it for the community.”

A fresh planning application will be lodged by Wharf Land Investments once the public exhibition has taken place and any further changes have been made.