A PERMANENT health hub is to be built alongside Exmoor Farmers Livestock Market, in Wheddon Cross.

Exmoor Rural Health Hub works in partnership with NHS Somerset to address challenges faced by rural and farming communities in accessing healthcare services.

It currently has a temporary cabin on the market site offering bi-monthly health screening clinics on livestock market days, and is staffed by NHS nurses and healthcare practitioners.

However, it could not provide a long-term solution for the delivery of healthcare services because of limited space and unreliable and non-secure digital services.

The hub also lacked the required level of comfort and accessibility.

Now, planning permission has been granted for permanent premises with a reception, toilets, and three consulting rooms next to the main market building.