PROPOSALS for a new £26million community centre in Wishaw have been given a boost.

NHS Lanarkshire's board has approved the outline business case for the proposed Wishaw Centre – which will house health and council services.

The new 7800sq metre centre would replace the existing health centre, the North Lanarkshire Council library and the First-Stop-Shop and housing service, relocating them all under one roof in the town centre.

Ian Ross, NHS Lanarkshire's chief executive, said: "We are delighted that the board has approved the outline business case for the Wishaw Centre. This is an exciting development that will offer excellent premises for a wide range of services.

"We have been working very closely with North Lanarkshire Council to ensure the building is of the right size and specification to deliver high quality community services."

A planning application for the health centre was submitted to the council in December 2012 and is expect to be considered by the Planning Committee later this month. The plan includes parking to support the new facility.

The new Wishaw Centre is part of a package of proposals which will also see NHS Lanarkshire build health centres in East Kilbride and Kilsyth.

If the projects are given approval to proceed, the new Wishaw Centre will be completed in 2015.