PLANS are under way to build a medical centre to serve people in Butterknowle.

Trinity Medical Properties wants to build a health centre on the outskirts of the village, to serve residents and the surrounding community.

The proposed centre will be a single-storey building with treatment and training facilities, meeting and reception space and an office.

The Newcastle company has also included parking facilities in its application, which will be discussed by Teesdale District Council's development control north committee next week.

There is already a doctor's surgery in Butterknowle, but it is believed it might close.

The council's senior planning officer, Trevor Watson, said: "There is a small surgery in the village at present and I imagine that this may close if the application for the health centre is approved by members.

"The nearest surgeries to Butterknowle are at Cockfield and perhaps Toft Hill."

Nobody from Trinity Medical Properties or Butterknowle Surgery was available for comment yesterday.

Members will be recommended to approve the application when they meet in Barnard Castle on Wednesday.