A medical centre has been given the green light by planners allaying fears about the future of health resources in an expanding town.

The new doctors' surgery and dental practice at Bolding Way, Haywards Heath, will mean a big improvement in medical provision in the town.

But the scheme's approval sounds the death knell for earlier plans to build a church and community hall on adjoining land in the Rocky Lane estate.

Cuckfield Medical Practice at Glebe Road will close as a result of the new plans with all patients being transferred to the new surgery.

No one at the Cuckfield Practice was available for comment yesterday but a spokesman for West Sussex Health Authority said they were fully behind the scheme.

He said: "We feel this facility will enhance the provision of medical services in Haywards Heath, particularly in readiness for the expanding population.

"The needs of these new residents could not be met by the existing infrastructure."

The scheme was fully supported by Haywards Heath Town Council and approved by Mid Sussex District Council's central area planning committee.

But some residents claimed shops and a post office were more needed and the size of the building would block out light.

However, a spokesman for the district planning department said: "The principle of development of this site has been long established and no objections are raised to the current uses. They are in accordance with the latest Local Plan policies and offer hope of development on a site which has been under-used for more than 15 years.

"It is a pity shops or flats cannot be incorporated, but years of negotiation have shown this is not a realistic option.

"The medical centre should offer better facilities for the immediate community and Haywards Heath as a whole."