A DEVELOPER behind plans for 140 homes could have to pay to help a village GP surgery expand.

Gladman Developments has submitted outline proposals for the homes on land east of Runsell View and north of Maldon Road in Danbury.

But NHS England has now said the Beacon Health Group – which runs Danbury Medical Centre and Mountbatten House Surgery in the village – would not have “sufficient capacity” to expand as a result of the homes.

In a letter to Chelmsford City Council, Kerry Harding, Estates Advisor, said: “This practice does not have sufficient capacity for the additional growth resulting from this development.

“Therefore a developer contribution, via CIL (community infrastructure levy) processes, towards the capital funding to increase capacity within the GP Catchment Area would be sought to mitigate the impact.”

However the scheme is not large enough to require a specific Section 106 planning obligation.

Any money generated would be used to reconfigure or extend the existing surgeries.

Relocation may also be considered. 

Maldon District Council has also commented on the plans.

Senior planning officer Yee Cheung said: “The application site is clearly outside of the settlement of Danbury.

“The development would introduce unwelcome domestic activity to the site and by extending the built-up area, present an inappropriate and insensitive urbanising effect having a damaging impact upon the character and appearance of this edge of the settlement boundary.”

Campaign group Hands Off Danbury has launched a battle against the bid and held a public meeting attended by 500 residents last month.

The group is also fighting against plans for a 72-bed care home on land adjacent to Danbury Medical Centre and plans for up to 100 homes on land south off Maldon Road.

The application is due to be decided by the end of January.