A NEW town centre development including a community church and medical centre serving 28,000 patients has been given the go-ahead by planners.

But a separate proposal for seven terrace homes in the area bounded by Westmoreland Street, Mowbray Square and Myrtle Square, in High Harrogate, were rejected by the borough council.

The applications were submitted by One Medical Limited for a site formerly occupied by Nidd Vale Motors.

Five GP practices serving 28,000 patients will relocate to the site, covering 36 per cent of the town's population.

The GP practices involved are Dr Henderson and Partners, in East Parade, Dr O'Neill and Partners, in Alexandra Road; Dr Emms and Partners, of Burton Lodge; Dr Greenwood and Partnership, of St Luke's Medical Practice and Dr Calvert and Parnters, in Park Parade, all Harrogate.

The new medical centre will accommodate 16 GPs, eight nurses, two health care assistants, four practice managers, 38 administration staff, three GP trainees and four medical students.

Health visitors, district nurses and specialist nurses will also use the premises.

A meeting was held to unveil plans to representatives of the High Harrogate Residents' Association, Mayfield Community Church and people representing the GP practices. An exhibition was also mounted in the area.

Councillor Andrew Jones, who represents the area on Harrogate Borough Council told the planning meeting, the plans "have been a long time coming".

Lack of an adequate bus service in the area and parking problems had been highlighted and Coun Jones said he would be pursuing a new bus service with Harrogate and District Travel.

The housing development was rejected on design and layout grounds.

Neither Harrogate Civic Society nor High Harrogate Association objected to the principal of demolishing existing buildings and development a primary medical care centre.

But they were concerned about lack of parking, inadequate public transport and landscaping plans.