PLANS to create a £6m Monnow Court health complex in Monmouth were approved by planners - despite concerns over its design.

The combined hospital/day centre and social services facility will be the first in the country, and was welcomed by Assembly health minister Jane Hutt as a blueprint for the future.

Mrs Hutt has previously said any project where health and social services work together in Wales is to be applauded.

The outline scheme was backed by members of the Monmouthshire county Planning committee.

But the committee deferred a decision on the residential accommodation because they were unhappy with the design of the buildings and the flat roofs.

Planning chief George Ashworth said the Environment Agency's objections to the scheme on flooding grounds was unreasonable.

He added: "There is no comparison with any other scheme and the finished floor level will be 600mm above the highest known flood level."

Councillor Mike Smith said: "I am happy to approve this scheme in principle but we should go back to Gwent Health Trust and ask for a design of the very highest standards." After the meeting Councillor Brian Hood, the member with responsibility for social services, said he was delighted the plans for the new Monnow Court health centre had passed the first hurdle.

The project was drawn up by Gwent Health Authority, Gwent Healthcare Trust, the Local Health Group and Monmouthshire council's social services department.

Around £4million will come from the private sector with the rest of the money coming from the sale of Monmouth Hospital, Dixton Road clinic and Overmonnow day hospital. Tenders for the scheme have already been submitted and it is hoped building work will be completed within two years.