Four decades of campaigning has finally led to an autumn 2015 completion date for a community’s state-of-the-art medical centre.

The business case for the development of a new Primary Care Centre for Stansted Mountfitchet has been given the go-ahead and work will start this summer. The new premises will provide ultra modern facilities for GP services and community services.

Dr Christopher Leeman and Dr Sue Humphrey, GPs at the existing Stansted Surgery, West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (WECCG), NHS England and NHS Property Services have now reached agreement on the final business case.

Planning permission is in place and internal plans have been produced. Now that approval has been given for the final business case, the project can move on to the next phase with a view to construction starting around early summer 2014.

The Primary Care Centre will be built on the former Castle Lotus Garage site, off Chapel Road, and close to the Railway station in Stansted.

Dr Sue Humphrey said: “This is excellent news for patients as the existing premises are no longer suitable for the delivery of 21st century healthcare.

“The new, modern Stansted Primary Care Centre will have good disabled access and will offer a much better environment for patients and staff. There are excellent public transport links and ample car parking adjacent to the building.

“It will enable us to offer a much improved service to our patients.”

Chair of WECCG, Dr Rob Gerlis, said: “WECCG is committed to making it possible for a greater range of health services to be provided locally. Some healthcare, that currently takes place in hospitals, can safely, and more appropriately, be provided in community settings, closer to where people live.

“But for this to happen, clinicians need modern premises. Crucially, this development will have sufficient space for a wide range of GP and community services to be provided from the one building. It is supported by local clinical leads both within WECCG and within the Uttlesford locality.”

Dawn Scrafield, director of finance at NHS England, said: “Population growth in Stansted and the surrounding area has risen and continues to rise. The practice’s population has increased from 5956 in 2001 to 8871 in 2013.

“This is an increase of almost 49 per cent yet the practice continues to operate within the same premises. We recognise that this development is a priority as it is essential for meeting the health needs of residents in and around Stansted.”

Martin Royal, regional director of NHS Property Services (NHSPS), which is managing the project, said: “We are very pleased that this long awaited business case for this scheme has been approved by the commissioners which will lead to a new fit for purpose healthcare facility for Stansted and Uttlesford. NHSPS will now work with the local health economy to formalise the occupancy arrangements.”

WECCG, NHS Property Services and NHS England will remain involved with the development until construction is completed and the practice and community services have re-located to the new site.

The developers are Hilton Properties. A company spokesman said: “Hilton properties and Peter Hilton are delighted to announce that following a robust and sincere negotiation process we are building a state-of-the art medical centre for Stansted Mountfitchet. We are proud to have worked with the NHS to have made this agreement.

“Ground will be broken as soon as possible, and we are aiming for completion during autumn 2015.”