The facility - due to be up and running by summer 2016 - will include a GP practice, dentist, community centre and library. Council development partner Hub South East Scotland Limited (Hubco) are set to design and deliver the project, with Graham Construction appointed as the contractor.

The new facility will include a GP practice, dentist, community centre (including sports hall and multi-purpose spaces), library, Customer Information Service (CIS) centre, employability service, community health centre, IT training suite, early years space, young people’s space and a credit union.

Leader of West Lothian Council John McGinty said: “We are now within months of work starting on site for the new partnership centre in Blackburn. Providing local service under one roof has been hugely successful across West Lothian. When the centre in Blackburn is completed local people will also benefit from the same convenient access to a range of services as those provided in other areas.”

Jim Forrest, director, West Lothian Health and Care Partnership, said: “This is an exciting development which will allow health and council services to work more closely together in the future. The new building will encourage joint shared services, helping to bring together resources.”

Paul McGirk, chief executive of Hub South East Scotland Ltd added: “This approval is another positive step in the development of the Blackburn Partnership Centre and we look forward to continuing our successful partnership with both NHS Lothian and West Lothian Council to make these plans a reality.”