A government minister has pledged support for a new GP surgery in a village subject to major development.

Liberal Democrat MP for Wokingham, Clive Jones, has been campaigning for a new GP service in Arborfield Green to cope with the influx of housebuilding.

Arborfield Green and the surrounding villages currently have no GP surgery.

It will soon have 10,000 houses with around 24,000 residents, with many current residents travelling to surgeries three or more miles away.

Many residents have objected to more houses being built in the area, arguing that primary care services cannot cope with growing populations.

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The area has ‘infrequent and sparse’ public transport, according to Mr Jones, who recently met with Stephen Kinnock, minister for primary care.

Wokingham is under the Berkshire West Integrated Care Board, which was recently identified as having some of the lowest numbers of GPs per population.

The are covering Wokingham, Reading and West Berkshire has 2,535 people per GP, higher than national average of 1,644.

Mr Kinnock has agreed to write to the regional NHS Chief Executive to make the case for a new practice.

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Along with housing, Arborfield Green will see a new village square, supermarket community centre, playground and allotments.

Clive Jones said: “People in and around the Arborfield Green area desperately need a GP surgery. There is a lot more to do to achieve our aim, but I am pleased that we are making steps towards that happening.”

Mr Jones is meeting with members of the West Berkshire ICB this week.