A £12 MILLION state-of-the-art health centre is one step closer to being built in Yate, the Gazette can reveal.

Plans for the town's new Community Healthcare Centre reached the next important stage this week after South Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust received approval for the development.

The new centre, which is scheduled to open in 2008, will mean improved health services for people in Yate and the surrounding area.

It is hoped it will mean fewer people travelling to hospital as the centre will provide most medical care.

The new centre will also mean: *New outpatient, diagnostic and minor injury services. *Better facilities for the existing Health Centre, including upgraded facilities for the West Walk GP Practice *Improved facilities for the existing Chipping Sodbury Clinic

The state-of-the-art facility may also include a children's centre, which will be financed by the local authority.

As yet no location has been officially agreed but the PCT is negotiating with the owners of Yate Shopping Centre for a site on the Link Road.

Another option would be to expand the existing health centre in Yate Shopping Centre.

The news was welcomed this week by Mayor of Yate Cllr Margaret Marshall who said the new facility was long overdue.

She said: "This is excellent news for Yate. The town council has been campaigning for this type of facility for many years.

"It will help to make the lives of many of our residents much easier."

South Gloucestershire Council leader Cllr Ruth Davis (Lib Dem, Yate Central) said: "This is an important step towards extended medical facilities closer to our residents rather than them having to travel to the acute hospitals in and around Bristol."

"This is one of the most needed and important new service developments for local residents of Yate and the surrounding areas."