A village centre offering a library, shops, low-cost housing and sheltered homes could be given the final seal of approval on Tuesday.

Horsham District Council planners are recommending the proposed mixed-use village centre in Station Road, Southwater, be given planning permission.

The proposals include 69 apartments, a bar and restaurant, a supermarket, sheltered housing and a community centre featuring parish council offices and a youth centre.

A similar scheme was approved in June last year but changes have been made to the plans.

The size of a proposed supermarket has been reduced while the amount of housing has been increased.

The layout has also been altered to move the community centre to the eastern end of the 3.9-hectare site.

At present the land in Station Road, which covers 3.9 hectares, is occupied by shops and business units, which were built in the Seventies.

Councillors had been pressing for a development to meet the needs of the growing village.

In a report to tomorrow's development control committee meeting, planners said it "would provide a focal point for the village and would secure a range of benefits for the community".