The development of an "urgently needed" medical centre in one of Norwich's fastest-growing areas is set to move a step closer.
Outline plans for the medical hub in Green Lane East on the edge of Rackheath were backed by Broadland District Council in June 2021.
The proposal also includes up to 130 homes, some of which will be affordable, and a 92-unit extra care independent living complex.
The NHS and secretary of state for health, Steve Barclay, are now set to review a business case for the medical practice on Tuesday (August 15).
This will include details on which services will be provided at the two-storey site, the financial outlay and what the building will look like.
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Once completed, NHS bosses will inform local authorities of their decisions.
It is hoped that once the practice is completed off-site, the skeleton of the building can be in place by the end of March 2024.
Broadland district councillor for the area, Fran Whymark, has been campaigning for a medical centre in Rackheath since the idea was first discussed.
"It is essential for the village," he said.
"With the number of new homes we have and will have in the future, it is fundamental.
"So this update is very positive and I look forward to finding out the result of this NHS meeting.
"The next step will then be obtaining planning permission for the project."
Loddon-based Halsbury Homes will build the 130 homes and Saffron Housing Trust will be responsible for the independent living complex.
Concerns have been raised over suitable infrastructure in the ever-expanding Rackheath, with the village earmarked for a further 4,000 homes and a new school.
The area does not currently have a GP practice and the closest ones are Hoveton and Wroxham Medical Centre and Thorpewood Medical Group in Heartsease.
Broadland district councillor for the area, Martin Murrell, described the update as "positive".
"This is something we have been screaming out for," he said.
"The centre is urgently needed because services in the area are already stretched to the limit.
"Planning permission still needs to be approved but once it is we expect it to be a relatively quick build.
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"I would like to have seen the village's pharmacy relocated there so it would all have been under one roof.
"But the most important thing is that it gets built.
"It is vital for the area."
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