Surrey will get a new MRI machine at Leatherhead Leisure Centre after councillors were “all in favour” of building the musculoskeletal scanner.

The new machine will be built in a temporary building with the hope of bringing accessible, community-based imaging technology to the area.

The idea has been in motion for the past 18 months after it emerged that there was a significant shortfall in MRI access and missed waiting time targets.

Leatherhead Leisure Centre, in Guildford Road, Fetcham, was landed on as the ideal location to help cut travel distances and relieve pressure on NHS hospitals, papers presented to Mole Valley’s March development management committee read.

Leatherhead Leisure Centre (Image Google)

placeholder image — Leatherhead Leisure Centre (Image Google)

The application was not without obstacles as the centre is on green belt land where new buildings are considered inappropriate unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated.

In this case, the pressing need for new medical facilities, available to all patients, together with the temporary five-year natural of the site, proved compelling enough.

Officers told the meeting: “The centre lies within the greenbelt but in this case the very special circumstances – the need for the type of medical facilities and the proximity to the centre, with its car parking space (are strong).

Originally the building was to be navy blue but a change of provider means it will now be white, they added.

Leatherhead Leisure Centre (Image Google) - the padel centre will be built behind the facility

Two staff members will occupy the site, comprising a waiting room and a separate area for scanning, at any one time

Councillor Roger Adams (Liberal Democrat: Bookham West) said: “I am all in favour of additional health facilities in this area.”

The plans were voted through by nine in favour, no objections, and two abstentions.

Questions were asked over whether the land would be reclassified as previously developed green belt land after the temporary building was removed, amid concerns this could open the site to future development.

Officers said the five-year nature of the plans, together with its valued community need, would see the site revert to its original protected status.

Members had pushed for the building to be built in a colour less suspected to wear and tear but were told it was based on the available materials rather than a stylistic paint job.