DRAWINGS showcasing a new £6 million medical centre are due to go on display for the first time.

Floor plans for the Ongar War Memorial Medical Centre will show off the layout of facilities in the three-storey building including the town's two GP practices, a dentist and various clinics.

The building will be designed around a central courtyard, with the ground floor accommodating a reception, a dentist’s, a speech and language facility, a multi-purpose clinic hall, a meeting room, and physiotherapy space.

The doctors, with their own reception, will be based on the first floor which will contain consulting rooms, treatment rooms and a minor procedure room. Staff facilities and administrative support will be on the top floor.

The new building will be on the site of the soon to be demolished Ongar War Memorial Hospital, in Fyfield Road.

NHS West Essex director of corporate services Leigh Fleming said: "This is a really exciting project which will give a real boost to the healthcare facilities in Ongar and the surrounding area.

“We are keen to involve local people in the planning stages - including the proposals for a war memorial as part of the development - and want to hear what people think of the proposals.

“We appreciate that parking is a key issue and, with the district council, will investigate the possible use of land on the leisure centre site opposite.

We are also meeting with bus company Arriva and Essex County Council over the possibility of getting buses re-routed to include the medical centre on their route."

The PCT intends to submit a planning application to Epping Forest District Council in mid-December.

Members of the public will be able to see the new plans at the Ongar and District Healthcare League of Friends autumn fayre at Budworth Hall, in Ongar High Street, between 9.30am and 1pm on Saturday, October 3.