A HEALTH centre has applied to be allowed to continue using a portakabin while it waits to extend.

The Riverside Health Centre in Manningtree was given permission to use the cabin as an extension to the surgery for 18 months in 2011.

Permission was extended again in 2012 but has since expired.

In 2013 the surgery was given the green light to expand its site on Station Road after patient numbers soared.

The site is owned by the East of England Co-op but leased to the health centre.

Discussions are currently ongoing between the surgery and the Co-op to extend the building after which the demountable will be removed.

A letter to Tendring Council from Boyer Planning, acting on behalf of the surgery and the Co-op, said the cabin was still needed for office and storage space.

It said: “It is considered that extending the temporary siting for a further 18 month period will enable a conclusion to be sought regarding the future of the surgery.”

If given the go ahead the portakabin could be in place until December 2016.

Tendring Council will have the final say on the plans.