FIVE hundred people, who signed a petition urging Richmondshire District Council to clear the way for a new medical centre in Colburn, had their wish granted at a meeting last night.

Planners agreed unanimously to give their conditional consent to the two-storey building on land off Catterick Road, even though the decision goes against policy outlined in the administration's blueprint for the future.

The Local Plan earmarks the site for employment, but councillors were advised a medical centre could be justified if a long-standing need for improved healthcare in the area was taken into account.

The new building, spearheaded by Trinity Medical Properties Ltd, will replace the doctors' surgery in Catterick Village.

As well as up-to-date offices for GPs, the new facility will also include a theatre for minor operations, a carers room, as well as offices for district nurses, midwives, a physiotherapist and a dietician.

Trees will be planted to screen the centre from nearby houses with a pedestrian crossing and a new access off Catterick Road also planned as part of the scheme.

Colburn councillor Peter Wood told the meeting: "I welcome this proposal and I'm certain I'll be joined by the 2,000 patients served by the surgery.

"The community deserves better and we should honour them by giving them this new clinic."