A LONG-AWAITED medical centre in Wheatley Hill has taken a step forward as architects prepare to reveal the designs to members of the public.

The £2m development, which will be a boost to healthcare in the Wheatley Hill area, is due to go before planners, with a consultation event for the community to be held at the current Wheatley Hill Surgery in Thornley Road, from 5pm to 7pm on Thursday March 22.

The development for Wheatley Hill, Thornley and Kelloe, which has been eight years in the making, will provide "outstanding and comprehensive" health services led by five GPs.

It will include treatment rooms, a retail unit, quarters for the primary care trust, NHS County Durham and Darlington, consultation areas and office accommodation.

There will be specialist clinics for minor surgery, leg ulcers and diabetes, as well as space for other health-related services to create a one-stop shop in the future.

Proposals would see the existing surgery demolished on completion of the new two-storey, 950sq metres medical centre and a new car park.

Durham county councillor Morris Nicholls said: "I've been pushing for this for 15 years. It's something Wheatley Hill has wanted for years and years and now it look as though we're nearly there.

"It's a must for Wheatley Hill, Thornley and the surrounding area.

"It's something we should be proud of."

He added: "Lots of people felt it had fallen by the wayside. But I'm pleased it's been taken up and is now moving forward."

Senior partner Dr Nand Mahto said: "Every effort will be made to minimise disruption to neighbours as the new centre is built.

"We would be very interested to hear the views of members of the community at this stage on the proposed centre and issues surrounding its construction."

Development surveyor Chloe Taylor added: "The surgery is at the heart of the community so it is important that we hear everyone’s viewpoint, but we are confident that people will see this as an enormous step forward for local healthcare."

Anyone unable to attend the public involvement event will still be able to comment by completing a special form and retuning it to the surgery.

Once all the views have been collated, a formal planning application will be made in April.