PLANS have been unveiled for a £2.75m health centre in Eaglescliffe, near Stockton.

P+HS Architects has submitted a planning application to replace the Eaglescliffe Medical Practice, in Sunningdale Drive, with a building designed for the practice.

Joe Biggs, director at P+HS Architects, said several sites were considered and the final site chosen was open recreational land, at the junction of Sunningdale Drive and Muirfield Road, close to the health centre.

The practice is a partnership of GPs formed in 1974. Initially a small, local unit, it has grown to provide care for more than 8,000 patients from the villages of Eaglescliffe, Elton and Long Newton, and from Yarm, and has now outgrown its building.

Mr Biggs said: "With at least 100 new houses and two new elderly- care facilities scheduled for completion in the next 18 months within Eaglescliffe alone, the need for a purpose-built centre with room for future expansion has become essential."

The plans for the health centre are supported in principle by the North Tees Primary Care Trust (PCT) and included in the PCT Estate Strategy as a primary care development priority.

The centre is being developed by Abstract Integrated Healthcare, a company that worked with P+HS on the Eastgate Medical Centre and Alma Street Surgery, in Stockton.

The centre would be constructed by Tolent and leased to the practice.

Facilities would include an extensive surgery, with accommodation for GPs, nurses, healthcare assistants and related clinical staff, as well as a PCT community clinic with group spaces for activities such as parent and child sessions, and meeting and training spaces including a library and group room designed to be within easy reach for all patients.

Practice manager Angela Mackereth said: "With a steady increase in the number of registered patients expected over the next few years, we will be able to provide them with the space and flexibility to offer a wider range of local clinic services."

Subject to planning approval, it is expected that the development will be complete and ready for occupation by the practice in spring 2009.