PLANS to build a new £10million health centre in Rossendale have been given the green light.

The scheme received unan-imous approval from develop-ment control councillors.

It means brand new mobile health units will be built in Bacup Road, Rawtenstall.

Coun Amanda Robertson said: “This is brilliant news for Rossendale and the wider region. Our initial concerns about parking spaces have been cleared up by the architects and we are delighted to give the project the go-ahead.

“One of the many great things about the new centre is that it will be on a bus route and will be highly accessible for the people of Rawtenstall, and the whole of Rossendale.”

The health centre will include a drop-in emergency service, birthing unit, hospice care, treatment rooms and X-ray facilities.

The new plans mean that patients needing medical attention will no longer have to travel to Blackburn, Burnley or Rochdale for routine treatments.

Linda Fisher, lead officer of the planning application, said: “This £10million investment is fantastic for Rossendale. It means that people won’t have to travel outside the borough for medical care when the centre is built.

“The PCT have identified that Rossendale is an area in need of a centre just like this, and now it’s all been approved.”

The unused Albion Mill, which housed the old Tomlinson shoe factory, is set for immediate demolition to make way for the new development.

Architects have stated that minor agreements need to be signed off before the building work can start.

Planning officers have confirmed that the new health centre will be ready for public use in 16-20 months.