PEOPLE have asked planning officials to ensure that security fences are installed when a two-storey medical centre is built.

Members of Wear Valley District Council's development control committee last night approved plans for a one-stop medical centre in Coundon.

People living in the village have also embraced proposals for the centre in Victoria Lane.

But at a meeting of the development control committee, one of the residents spoke out about youths who gather outside the centre.

She said that people living in the area had to put up with the anti-social behaviour of the youths and that the problem had started after the centre was built.

She said she had particular concerns about a play area which would be situated at the back of the centre.

"We would ask you to place security fencing around the play area for the children to stop these youths getting in there and leaving behind broken bottles and needles etc.," She said.

"This would hopeful allow us worry-free evenings and keep the children safe.''

The two-storey building will house Sure Start child care, an information technology suite and rooms for training, dentistry, chiropody, counselling, the usual health centre services, a children's play area and extra parking.

Work to demolish the single-storey medical centre which is on the site and the completion of the new facility is expected to be completed by January or February next year.

Money for the project has come from a combination of private finance initiative funding, Neighbourhood Renewal, Sure Start and the primary care trust.

The council's assistant director of regeneration, David Townsend, said conditions had been included to provide for safety fencing of the play area and car park.