The Leader of Maldon District Council has written to the Secretary of State for Health expressing concern about delays in health infrastructure in the district.

Cllr Richard Siddall wrote to the Rt.Hon. Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on June 16.

In the letter, the Council Leader expresses concerns about the delays in constructing new NHS Primary Care facilities, which are crucial to support the district's rapidly growing and ageing population.

Cllr Siddall said: "The Council welcomes the Government's announcement of a £29 billion annual real-time increase in the NHS resource budgets through the Spending Review 2025. 

"However, we urgently call for intervention to address the valuation issues delaying the construction of much-needed healthcare facilities.

"With developers ready to build to the specifications required, it is essential that central government rules do not continue to impede these critical local projects.

"The Council implores the Government to address this matter promptly, ensuring that healthcare investment secured from developers is not lost, and the health needs of Maldon District's residents are met without further delay."

The letter details that the developer responsible for the Westcombe Park development is "getting frustrated" with prolonged NHS negotiations, having offered to build a health centre as part of the outline planning permission for the site.

It also reiterates the district's long travel times to reach hospitals and GP surgeries, as well as its ageing demographics.

You can read the full letter to the Secretary of State, here.  

The Council awaits a response from the Secretary of State.