Village in ‘urgent need’ of new medical center

The village sign of Rackheath — Thousands more homes could be built in Rackheath in the coming years (BBC)

Construction of a new medical center for a growing village will begin early next month.

More new homes are being built in Rackheath, near Norwich, with plans for almost 4,000 more.

Broadland District Councillor Fran Whymark said there was “a desperate need” for the health centre.

Darwin Group, which is building the NHS medical centre, said construction work would start on August 5 and be completed in spring next year.

Daniel Bell, the company’s head of project implementation, wrote to residents saying it was “an exciting investment” for them.

He said the large centre would have a floor space of 16,000 sq ft (1,500 sq m) and would consist of 45 modules that would be built off-site and then transported to Rackheath and linked together.

It is expected that a maximum of 10,000 patients can be treated.

The building permit for the work was granted at the end of last year.

Councillor Fran Whymark — Fran Whymark said there was a “desperate need” for a medical centre in the village (BBC)

The news that construction will soon begin is welcomed, as the North Rackheath Masterplan will see the addition of a whopping 3,850 homes to the village.

Conservative councillor Whymark said he had “fought” for the medical centre to be built.

“We have all seen huge developments without infrastructure,” he said.

“The big development, 4,000 homes, hasn’t even started yet. We’re at that tipping point, if we don’t get something soon, the surrounding services will be overwhelmed.”

Follow the news from Norfolk on Facebook, Instagram And X. Do you have a story? Email [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830