TORPOINT'S growing community is a step closer to having modern healthcare facilities.

At a board meeting on Tuesday the Primary Care Trust approved the scheme for a new health centre which will go before the Strategic Health Authority for final approval on August 23.

Amanda Fisk, director of commissioning development for the Primary Care Trust, said: 'This is a landmark development for the town. It will bring the area up to date with modern healthcare facilities.'

Dr Lawrence Barnes, who has led the development of the scheme on behalf of the local GPs, said: 'Our present facilities are outdated and inadequate for a growing community, and we are confident that over time we will be able to overcome some of the concerns that have been expressed about the new location.'

The scheme will allow the existing Rame Group Practice surgeries at Antony Road and St James' Road, and the Peninsula

Community Health Clinic in Hooper Street to be housed in one centre at Trevol Business Park.

The centre will also house local primary and community healthcare services, ambulance services and a pharmacy.

Discussions are taking place with other NHS organisations to see what additional services can be located there.

It is hoped the new facilities will be open by 2014.