A COUNCILLOR has hit back after plans to build a new £2million doctor’s surgery in Wickford were thrown out.

David Harrison, Ukip councillor for Wickford Park, and a member of Basildon Council’s planning committee, which threw out the application for the surgery in Market Place, said he was in favour of a new surgery, but it had to meet planning rules.

Mr Harrison claims outline plans for 22 flats at the same site are still in the pipeline which meant there wouldn’t be enough parking spaces for patients.

He also hit back at Phil Turner, leader of Basildon Council, who criticised him and other Ukip councillors for rejecting the plans.

Mr Harrison said: “My colleagues and I will be happy to sit down for with officers and other members of the council for as long as it takes to make sure a revised application meets all planning requirements.

“Let me get it straight. We are not against the London Road Surgery moving to the market site.

“Secondly, this isn’t a health centre, and calling it that just raises peoples expectations of what will be there when this scheme goes ahead. The main reason there were only 20 parking spaces provided in the application is the desire by the Conservative administration to build 22 flats on the reminder of the site.

This would restrict the amount of space left available for parking and other services for the surgery.”

Mr Turner says further applications for the site are unlikely.