Thousands of patients in north Colchester are to get a new surgery and community centre after long-awaited plans finally got the go-ahead last night.
The decision to give the centre the go-ahead was hailed as "the most important in years" for people in High Woods.
Liberal Democrat ward councillor Gerard Oxford said it ended an eight-year battle for new facilities.
"This is the single most important planning application which has been lodged in High Woods since I moved here in 1994," he said. "This is the most vital facility yet."
More than 2,000 people use the Bluebell health centre in Jack Andrews Drive, which will be demolished to make way for the new complex.
Borough councillors had to overrule expert advice by planning officers before the project could go ahead.
The building breaches planning guidelines, but councillors said that was outweighed by benefits to the community and there had been no objections by residents.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Friday, December 2, 2005
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