NHS Fife has approved the initial agreement document for a replacement health centre in Lochgelly.

The project is expected to cost £6m with the preferred site being the vacant grassed area in Francis Street.

Over the past few months there has been a considerable amount of consultation in connection with the proposal for a replacement for the current David Street facility.

The document will now be submitted to the Scottish Government for approval before outline and business cases are prepared.

This will be good news for the campaign group which was set up by Lochgelly Com munity Council after members felt that something had to be done to push along the case for a replacement for the David Street facility which is stretched for space to deal with the huge number of patients it cares for.

Claire Dobson west divisional general manager said: "The vision for health and social care services is to provide robust integrated care that crosses the boundaries between primary, community, health and social care with GPs, healthcare professionals and social care staff working together as one system to provide care at home or as close to home wherever possible with a strong focus on early intervention, anticipatory care and self management.

"Taking account of the need in Lochgelly for improved health care and the extremely poor state of the current health centre in the town the logic of investing in a new health centre remains current, despite the challenging environment within the public sector."

The campaign group has the support of Cowdenbeath MSP Annabelle Ewing and local councillors and this news will be welcomed by the members.

The pressure on the David Street facilities has been strong with its lack of space and condition of the fabric.

However, the Group is aware that even if the project gets the backing of the Scottish Government it will take several years before it appears in Francis Street.