RESIDENTS could see a new medical centre open by April 2023 after detailed plans were submitted to council bosses.

Developer OneMedical Group is working to deliver the proposed medical centre in Sible Hedingham.

A planning application was submitted to Braintree Council last week which gives a more detailed look at the proposals.

OneMedical Group aims to complete the centre, which will have the capacity to serve more than 10,000 patients from the Hedinghams and surrounding villages, by April 2023.

The Osier Way site has been earmarked for the development for a number of years.

OneMedical Group is set to undertake the building’s construction and will also be in charge of running the facility once it opens.

The group has also been working with the current Hedingham Medical Centre team and the Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group to design the new centre which “has been designed for the long term, with room for growth”.

Following completion of the building, the GP partners at Hedingham Medical Centre will relocate their services to the new surgery.

The Hedingham Medical Centre team currently work from Falcon Square in Castle Hedingham, Hilton House in Sible Hedingham and Bridge Street in Great Yeldham.

The two-storey building will be energy efficient and comprise clinical and administration space, as well as a dispensary.

There will be parking for 44 vehicles – 35 for the medical centre and nine for the neighbouring Work Hub.

The developers added “the building has been designed to be modern, while sympathetic to the look and feel of the local area”.

There will also be an ambulance bay, drop-off zone, charging stations and a cycle shelter.

There will even be bat and bird nest boxes to support biodiversity, as well as a community garden.

Senior partner at Hedingham Medical Centre, Dr Ruth Silcox, said: “We are thrilled that we have been able to submit a planning application for our new surgery development in Sible Hedingham.

“We are working closely with OneMedical Group to build a state-of-the art clinical facility on the former Rippers Yard site.

“This will bring all our services under one roof and allow us to improve our services to our patient population.”

Lead Designer of the OneMedical Property’s Design Team for the Hedingham Medical Centre, Alex Caruso, added: “We are delighted with the collaboration established with local stakeholders to develop the proposed design.

“The engagement sessions with the Medical Practice team, the Parish Councils, Mid and South Essex Clinical Commissioning Group and with the Braintree Planning Department have been instrumental to achieve a design which will benefit the local community as a whole.

“We look forward to continued engagement for the following stages.”

To view the plans, visit the Braintree Council website using the reference number 21/03099/FUL.

For more information, visit onemedicalgroup.co.uk/hedingham-medical-centre/.