THE sale of Malvern's Pickersleigh Road depot to make way for a new health centre could be approved next week.

The centre will replace existing surgeries at Court Road and Victoria Park.

At Tuesday's meeting of Malvern Hills District Council, members will be asked to agree the sale of 2.7 acres of the land to McAlpines, the chosen developers.

The council will also have to set aside money for decontaminating the site, which used to be a gas works, and for demolishing existing buildings.

Dr Andrew Meredith, of Victoria Road Health Centre, said: "I would definitely urge the council to sell the land. We're desperate to move out of our current cramped premises."

The rest of the depot site, just under two acres, will remain in the council's hands.

Kevin Douglas, for the council, said: "We're looking at the options and the favoured one is to use the land for low-cost housing. But a lot depends on how much it costs to decontaminate it.

"I hope to be bringing a report on it to the next executive committee meeting in July."

When MHDC agreed in June 2003 to offer part of the depot site for a surgery, one condition was that South Worcestershire Primary care trust give a "specific commitment" to building a new hospital at Seaford Court. The PCT is currently in discussions with MHDC about whether the health-use designation of the Seaford Court can be altered, to allow part of it to be developed for housing.