DUDLEY councillors have welcomed plans for a new £3 million health centre for Pensnett.

The two-storey building was given the thumbs up by members of the Development Control Committee for the site of a vacant petrol station in High Oak, with councillors praising the impact the NHS Dudley facility will have for the residents of Pensnett and Brockmoor.

The state-of-the-art centre, which is being developed in conjunction with Dudley Infracare Lift, will offer a range of treatments and services including physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and midwifery.

Doctors from the nearby High Oak Surgery will be relocating to the new facility and community rooms and a library link will also be available.

Committee chairman, Councillor Rachel Harris, said: “ This is certainly kick starting the regeneration for the area. As someone who has watched and waited for nigh on 15 years for a new health care centre for this area, it is really very welcomed indeed. Hopefully we will see it rise from the site fairly rapidly.”