There’s perhaps a small ray of hope for those residents at Peters Village still waiting for a promised doctor’s surgery to be delivered.

Trenport, the company behind the overarching development of the 1,000 home village near Wouldham, has submitted an application to Tonbridge and Malling council seeking confirmation that the small amount of work it has done towards the new surgery – the laying of drains and manholes – is sufficient to count as having “implemented” the decision.

If no work is carried out within three years of permission being granted, it lapses. And time is nearly up.

The site has two approved permissions for a surgery; the first was submitted by Trenport itself, and the second, a modified scheme, was submitted by Assura Asprire, the company selected to deliver the new centre by the Eccles-based Phoenix Practice which is due to be move onto the site once the surgery is completed.

It is the Assura scheme for which Trenport is seeking the lawful development certifcate.

Villagers have been waiting for the surgery since 2017, when construction of the new homes began.

The approved plan shows a two-storey medical centre with nine consulting rooms supported by a 20-place car park.

A spokesman for Trenport said: "Discussions are ongoing with the NHS regarding the delivery of the medical centre.”

Tonbridge and Malling council has yet to rule on the application.

Meanwhile, the site continues to be surrounded by hoardings.

Details of the two permissions for the centre can be found on the Tonbridge and Malling website.

Application numbers 19/01949 and 20/01543 refer.