GAZETTE & HERALD: Plans for a £3 million state of the art GP surgery in Chippenham could give a major boost to primary health care in the town but doctors behind the plan are refusing to comment on the project.

Doctors at the Hathaway Surgery in New Road submitted the detailed plans for a new surgery premises on the former Allington School site between Bristol Road and Hungerdown Lane two weeks ago, but they have yet to go before the planning committee.

The plans already have the blessing of the town council, but this week doctors at Hathaway surgery declined to speak about the scheme.

A surgery spokesman said: "We do not want to comment on the development of the surgery at this stage because planning permission has yet to be granted."

It is likely to be a couple of months before the application is determined. If proposals get the green light, the new surgery could cater for around 15,000 patients and be open in summer 2006.

At a recent meeting of the town council's planning and environment committee members welcomed the application but called for a legal agreement to make sure the Hathaway Surgery stuck by its decision to retain New Road surgery about a mile from the new site because it is more accessible from the town centre.

Coun Bill Douglas told the meeting: "I welcome this but people in the centre of the town will not have easy access to a doctor unless they keep the old surgery open."

North Wiltshire District Council ward member Coun Judy Rooke said she could not comment on the specifics of the planning application because she is a member of the development control committee.

But she said: "I am really pleased they have submitted the application. It is a much needed health centre. The scheme is an excellent one and it will be really good for that area."

The town's surgeries have struggled to cope with the rising number of patients. With new housing developments already on the way on the Flowers site, the cattle market and Rowden Lane, the pressure is set to grow. The rest of the Allington School site, formerly owned by the county council, will also become a housing estate.