THE £1million children s centre planned for Clevedon has finally been given the thumbs up.

THE £1million children's centre planned for Clevedon has finally been given the thumbs up.

Plans for a one-stop shop for parents and children at The Barn, in Great Western Way, have been delayed for months due to concerns from residents and councillors about the site being too close to properties and the loss of a popular playing field if the planned car park was built.

Residents sent in a petition with 158 signatures stating that the extension would lead to an increase in traffic and antisocial behaviour as well as a loss of privacy.

But alterations have now been made to the plans and North Somerset Council's North Area Committee gave it the green light at its meeting on Thursday.

Cllr Jeremy Blatchford, executive member for children and young people's services, said: "I'm very happy it's gone through. This is a great step forward for the parents and preschool children of Clevedon."

North Somerset Council submitted the application in October last year, to add two storey and single storey extensions to the north side of the building, which is currently used as a youth and community centre.

It also wanted to build an extra car park over the current playing field with new access to the site through Churchill Avenue but the cark park and proposed new entrance have now been deleted from the plans.

Members agreed to approve the application with a condition that the applicants would look to improve the current parking facilities at the site and add landscaping.

Weston Area Health Trust and Sure Start will be based in the new child care and health centre, which is due to be up and running by September.

The Strategic Health Authority is funding £430,000 of the cash needed and the Government's Department for Children, Schools and Families is footing the rest of the bill.

Services provided by the centre will include postnatal and antenatal clubs, toddler groups, domestic abuse support and mental health advice as well as activities for people with learning difficulties.