The IHCC would focus on out of hospital care, prevention and early intervention, as well as tackling health inequalities of the local population, and would also allow for the re-provision of a GP Practice.

NHS Lincolnshire ICB said it was also working with Lincolnshire County Council at potentially incorporating a library within the scheme, which also includes provision for a new pharmacy.

The ICB said that while it does not currently have funding to build the IHCC, it was able to finance an outline business case for the project.

A spokesperson said: ‘Whilst it is unusual to apply for planning permission at the OBC stage, there are advantages to doing so not least of which is it gives us more design and cost certainty as we explore the funding opportunities to develop an IHCC for Boston communities. The project team overseeing the planning application is actively exploring funding options and working with regional and national NHS teams.

‘Furthermore, should funding to build an IHCC become available, we would have an "oven-ready" scheme that provides cost certainty for a particular design of IHCC, enabling us to move forward with pace.'