A LANDOWNER has said houses would be needed to fund a new health surgery in Wivenhoe.

Doctors had contacted Charles Gooch to see if land could be leased if funds were raised by the town council.

In a statement practice manager Zoe Cronin said: “Mr Gooch’s response was that he considers the terms agreed in March 2010 would still be achievable should permission be granted for the development of six to eight dwellings, thereby subsidising the financial shortfall.

“This would of course need approval from the people of Wivenhoe prior to approaching the planning and highways authorities.

“It does appear therefore that, without approval for a small number of residential units adjoining the surgery development, the project on the Fire Station site is in jeopardy and the town council needs to consider whether to seek the opinion of residents regarding this small development in order the surgery can go ahead.”

The stalled Wivenhoe surgery has been in the pipeline for more than 10 years but has been held up by a lack of suitable sites and funding. Mr Gooch owns farm land next to the fire station on Colchester Road, which is seen by many as the preferred site for a new medical centre.