A NEW 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 existing surgery in Avenue Road, Malvern.

The new building, on the corner of Sandys Road, could be complete by Christmas 2004.

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

"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."

An attempt to develop a new surgery at the former district council office in Whitbourne Lodge, Church Street, proved abortive.

"It's not been easy to find a suitable site in Malvern. It's taken five years of battling," said Mrs Smith.

The new building will be built and paid for by Worcester-based developer Prime UK, at an estimated cost of around £2.75 million. Prime will lease it to the GP practice and the day nursery operators.

Leighton Chumbley, of Prime, said: "We have developed 27 primary care facilities all over the UK, from the Orkneys down to Falmouth."

Mr Chumbley said that if the planning process went smoothly, work would begin in January or February next year and finish the following Christmas. The building has been designed by Worcester architects Panton Sargent.

The day nursery will be operated by Busy Bees, which owns 21 nurseries across the country and operates 31 more for corporate clients, including QinetiQ. It is expected to employ up to 30 full-time staff.

The planning application will be decided by Malvern Hills District Council. Members of the public have until November 7 to submit comments.