A NEW £2.75m doctors' surgery and daycare nursery is being planned for Townsend Way in Malvern Link.

Worcester-based Prime UK has submitted a planning application to build the complex, which will replace the surgery in Avenue Road, Malvern.

If permission is granted, the new building could be complete by Christmas 2004.

"Over the last few years we have become very cramped for space, both for patients and staff," said Avenue Road practice manager Pauline Smith.

"We're looking forward to improving the service we offer to our patients, with more space and rooms.

"Our nursing team has battled away heroically in very limited space, but now we look forward to providing accommodation for additional services, increased minor surgery, plus health visitors and midwives."

Prime UK will be leasing the building to the practice and day nursery operators.

The firm has developed 27 primary care facilities throughout the UK.

Leighton Chumbley, from Prime UK, said that, if the planning process went smoothly, work would begin next January or February.

The building has been designed by Worcester architects Panton Sargent and the day nursery will be run by Busy Bees.

Members of the public have until Thursday, November 7 to submit their comments.