A VILLAGE could get a much-needed replacement for its cramped doctor's surgery, but not everybody is happy.

Woolavington Parish Council met last week to discuss a scheme by BAE Systems and Edington Surgery, for 60 homes and a new branch surgery off Crocker's Hill, to the north-west of the village.

Parish councillors will also soon be discussing plans just submitted by PM Asset Management for 120 homes on land south of Sedgemoor Way.

That scheme could also include a doctor's surgery, although PM Asset Management admits another medical facility might not be needed if the Crocker's Hill project goes ahead.

PM Asset Management's agents Barton Willmore say: “Should a doctor's surgery ultimately not be required on the proposed development site, an alternative non-residential use could be sought.”

Parish council chairman Adrian Chidgey told the Mercury the village desperately needed a new surgery.

He said: “The current surgery is very old and it's just a little building next to the Co-op. We've been going on for a long time about getting the surgery upgraded but that's not viable because it would have to have disabled ramps.”

However, within the village, not everybody agrees on where the surgery should go, and wide-ranging concerns have been raised about both proposed developments, including traffic, access and the principle of building on green fields.

A petition signed by 350 people objecting to the Crocker's Hill scheme has been passed on to Sedgemoor District Council.

Two letters of objection have already been penned to the council about the Sedgemoor Way project.

Robert Plews, of Darkfield Way, wrote: “If there was such a need for more houses, why are there so many empty properties in the village?

“Everyone I know that lives in the village does not want this to go through.”

A supporting statement for the BAE Systems and Edington Surgery scheme, which also includes a play area and road improvements, says its surgery would provide “excellent facilities” and bring “real health improvements”.

PM Asset Management says its scheme would also provide shops and other small businesses and represent a “sustainable development opportunity for Woolavington”.