An "urgently needed" medical centre in one of Norfolk's fastest-growing areas has been given planning permission. 

Broadland District Council (BDC) has given the green light to the planned medical hub in Green Lane East, on the edge of Rackheath. 

Eastern Daily Press: Rackheath is one of Norwich's fastest growing areasRackheath is one of Norwich's fastest growing areas (Image: Newsquest)

The approval is subject to a number of conditions, including the submission of further details regarding water flow off the site.

This comes after BDC planning officers and several locals raised concerns about the land, which consists of sandy clay. 

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There were worries this could lead to drainage issues and subsequent flooding elsewhere in the village.

"This [water flow] report should be done before the end of January and then the NHS will get on site," said district councillor for the area Fran Whymark, who is leader of the Tory group at BDC.

Eastern Daily Press: Cllr Fran WhymarkCllr Fran Whymark (Image: Newsquest)

"I would like to say how pleased I am to see that the much-needed infrastructure will be delivered alongside the housing growth in Rackheath.

"It is something I have been pushing for with councillor Martin Murrell for many years.

"A growing community needs a medical centre and we are overjoyed to see this come to fruition. We look forward to seeing the medical centre open in 2025.  

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"I’ll be registering myself at the surgery."

Rackheath has around 1,000 homes, with around 500 more being built and nearly 4,000 extra homes that could be built in the village.

But it does not have a GP practice with the closest being Hoveton and Wroxham Medical Centre and Thorpewood Medical Group in Heartsease.

The hub will be a modern, accessible, digitally-enabled facility where people can access a range of health and care services.

It will also provide "more joined-up services" between primary and community care, helping to improve patient experience and improve health outcomes for local folk.

Cllr Martin Murrell, who also represents the area at Broadland District Council, said: "Once a spade [is] in the ground, I will raise a glass, but feel it is a little premature at present.

Eastern Daily Press: Cllr Martin MurrellCllr Martin Murrell (Image: Broadland District Council)

"Both Cllr Fran Whymark & I have worked very hard with [stakeholders] to ensure we deliver the best possible solution to residents and would like to thank all the staff involved in helping achieve this."

Outline plans for the medical centre were approved by the NHS in August as part of a £25.2m investment in Norwich and Waveney, alongside a new health hub in King's Lynn.

Eastern Daily Press: An artist's impression of the new medical centreAn artist's impression of the new medical centre (Image: Broadland District Council)