MP Priti Patel backs new Kelvedon and Feering health centre

Witham MP Dame Priti Patel met with doctors and health staff at Kelvedon and Feering Health Centre, in the High Street, on Friday,  April 5.

The visit was to discuss plans for a new health facility to serve the Kelvedon and Feering area.

She met with practice manager Marie Venkatasawmy, operations manager Sanger Ager, Dr Victor Gil-Robles, Dr Ricardo Pinto-Wright, and Dr Martin Lechelt.

Supportive - Witham MP Dame Priti Patel outside the current site of the Kelvedon & Geering Health Centre (Image: Priti Patel)

The MP learnt about the current issues which are causing delays for the plans.

Dame Priti said she is extremely supportive of the plans to build the new GP surgery.

She said: “It was very helpful to meet with the team at Kelvedon and Feering Health Centre and listen to their concerns about the lack of progress with the new health centre. 

“Parts of our county have experienced considerable population growth and demographic changes, resulting in situations where the demand for primary care is outstripping supply.

Discussion - Witham MP Dame Priti Patel with medical professionals and staff from the Kelvedon & Feering Health Centre (Image: Priti Patel)

“I have made my position very clear that I will work with all those involved to see this new health centre built.

“I am working closely with Braintree District Council, Barratt David Wilson Homes and the practice to make sure residents in Kelvedon and Feering receive the health centre that they have been promised and deserve.”

This comes after an application for 300 new homes, a health centre, shops, and more, were recommended for land north of London Road, Kelvedon.

However, the application was refused in December 2021 on the basis it was against the council’s Local Plan policy, and the site near London Road was ruled to be an unsustainable location.

Not fit for purpose - a Street View image of the Kelvedon & Feering Health Centre in Kelvedon's High Street (Image: Google Maps)

But a planning inspector disagreed, saying the council’s housing land supply had slipped below five years and the new development would provide housing and benefit the community.

The GP practice said on its website the current facility, which is an important building for the community, is no longer fit for purpose as a medical centre.

In March last year, Kelvedon and Feering Health Centre submitted a successful planning application for the new health centre, subsequently overturning the previous decision.