Oxford city councillors have put people before planning by approving a new £4m health centre for Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys, despite concerns about the design and traffic.

The surgery will house a new dental practice after Oxfordshire was awarded £529,000 of Government cash to improve access to NHS dentists. It will also have a pharmacy and a nursery.

Disused land in Dunnock Way will now be transformed to replace the cramped surgery in Blackbird Leys Road.

Dr Jonathan McWilliam, director of public health for Oxford City Primary Care Trust, said: "We respect the planning process but we are extremely pleased this has gone through because it offers the best health care for the future in one of the areas where it is needed most in the city."

In January, members of Oxford City Council's south east area committee agreed to support the plans for the new building, despite reservations from planning officers.

Later the same month, the application from Oxford City Primary Care Trust was referred to the strategic development control committee, which refused the application.

They said the centre, including a nursery, should not be built because its design would not be in keeping with the surrounding area and would create too much traffic.

But that decision was overturned by the city council on February 16. Dr McWilliam said he hoped construction work would start by the end of the year after the trust had confirmed planning conditions with the city council. He did not know when the centre would open.

Blackbird Leys councillor Val Smith told the council: "The vast majority of residents agree this would be a good thing for the estate."

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