AMBITIOUS plans to build a state-of-the-art medical centre are a step closer after council planning officers recommended the plans for approval.

OneMedical Group wants planning permission to build the new Hedingham Medical Centre at Osier Way, in Sible Hedingham.

OneMedical Property will undertake the building’s construction and also run the facility once it opens.

The doctors who provide and run current services will remain.

The medical centre will cater for up to 12,000 residents in the Hedinghams and surrounding villages and could be completed by summer 2023 if it gets the green light.

Plans show the medical centre would have 11 clinical rooms, a waiting area and reception, dispensary, utility and storage space, staff room and office space.

Parish councils in the surrounding villages have been broadly supportive but have raised concerns over parking and traffic.

The application has also seen objections from some residents.

One objector to the proposals said: “Although we are looking forward to having a new medical centre, we are also very concerned about the extra traffic turning into Osier Way.

“It is already a problem with parking, access and exit on that busy corner is quite a worry, especially at peak times.

“It is just not practical with staff and patients trying to find a parking spot, and people coming to collect prescriptions.

“I can only foresee chaos.”

The plans had to be resubmitted last month because they contained incorrect land ownership details.

But now the project has been given a boost after being recommended for approval by planning officers.

The plans are due to go before Braintree Council’s planning committee on Tuesday, April 19.

A council report says: “Parking demand for patients would be met on site, although the proposed 12 allocated parking spaces for staff is not considered to meet with the 20 staff expected to be on site at any one time.

“The parking constraints are a matter which weigh against the proposal, but with measures in place for managing this and noting the potential agreement for off-site staff parking, it is considered that on balance, the development would be acceptable.”