PLANS to build a new medical centre to serve two villages have taken a step forward after NHS bosses confirmed the scheme should be completed within two years.

Jo Beavis, district councillor for the Hedinghams, receivedaletter from NHS contacts manager Cathy Galione ahead of a meeting to discuss delays to the plans.

The meeting included practice managers, GPs and parish councillors in Sible and Castle Hedingham.

She said: “We were not really getting much out of the NHS. Lo and behold, on the morning of the meeting we received a communication.

“We couldn’t believe it.”

Land has been allocated for a shared GP surgery on the site of the former Premdor factory to serve residents in Sible Hedingham, Castle Hedingham and Great Yeldham.

Bloor Homes is building 193 homes on the site and was legally obliged to leave a quarter of a hectare for a health centre.

Mrs Beavis said the letter contained a project number for the scheme and noted it was for the “relocation of two practices to a new build development as part of a Section 106 agreement”.

The letter also said the timescale was “approximately two years”.