Local developer Benny Gaze owns the meadow behind the health centre in Mount Street and is in negotiations with South Norfolk council; Diss Health Centre, which is owned by its GPs; and NHS Norfolk to negotiate a land swap deal and develop the land.
The health centre has got planning permission to expand its facilities by extending into a car park opposite the centre but that runs out this year.

The car park is owned by South Norfolk Council, so GPs are negotiating the purchase of the meadow on which they will build a car park to swap with the council, replacing the parking spaces which will be lost due to the expansion.

Simone Johnson, Parish Fields Practice manager, based in the health centre, said: “The council would get like-for-like parking – we have got to keep the same level of car parking.”

She added that a full business plan which includes the extension of the health centre and refurbishment is to be considered for funding by NHS Norfolk by the end of September. If funding for the plan is approved , work on the car park will start in November.

Diss town councillor Tony Palmer said that there were still a number of hurdles to cross but added that a larger health centre with more facilities was badly needed.

“I am pleased something is happening to get things moving again,” he said.

Mr Gaze said he had already got planning permission to build five houses on the meadow, but he is unable to go ahead with them until the car park is completed.

“It has been going on for about seven or eight years. It has been a nightmare,” he said.