PLANS have been shelved for a doctor's surgery at a new £1.3m community centre in Darlington.
But the centre, being built in Burnside Road and due to open in January, will still offer health services to residents.
Councillor Roderick Francis said: "Having a doctor's surgery was an aspiration that we had when we thought about setting up the centre.
"We have now discovered that it will not happen. I am disappointed, but we have got so much going for us at the moment anyway.
"There will be a nurse there and support for new mothers, as we have a lot of single mothers on the estate."
The building will include a healthy living centre, run by Darlington Primary Care Trust.
It will run courses on exercise, smoking cessation, breastfeeding and healthy eating.
The trust's health improvement facilitator, Jan Finn, said: "We will be looking at healthy lifestyle issues and improving health, not dealing with illnesses.
"It is very much based on the preventative, though there will be a child health clinic, giving advice, support and offering immunisation, which will be run by health visitors. We are really positive about the whole scheme and I believe it has massive potential to grow."
Public health director Dr Nonnie Crawford said: "It's about healthy living and health improvement rather than health care. We will be working with community groups to get people more active. "
The centre will also house a credit union, the Workers' Education Association, a neighbourhood nursery, a youth club, a community cafe and housing office.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article