A surgery is unlikely to built on the green at Whitlock Drive because the parish council, which owns theland, wants to keep it as a green.

Planning permission granted in 2006 has since expired and until March this year it was still the NHS’s preferred location, despite Whitlock Drive residents being against it.

The existing village surgery is in a converted butcher’s shop in Bridge Street, which is too small and does not comply with disability regulations.

Braintree Council's Local Development Framework sub-committee has redesignated Whitlock Green for informal recreation.