A NEW NHS blood centre offering specialist services will be opened in Dodworth to help support hospitals.

NHS Blood and Transplant said the centre, at Capitol Park, will allow staff to carry out their lifesaving work after planning permission was granted this week.

Members of Barnsley Council’s planning board unanimously vote for the scheme, which will see around 350 workers move into the building, replacing centres in Leeds and Sheffield.

Andrew Burton, senior planning officer, said: “The proposed building represents another large scale addition to Capitol Park. The site is big enough to absorb the development as there are already several large buildings.

“It would generate a large number of skilled and semi-skilled jobs and lead to significant investment in the local economy.”

An NHS spokesman said: “Building a new purpose-built centre represents a compelling investment in our estate without affecting the supply of our products and services to hospitals.

“By consolidating into a larger centre, we make the best use of the blood we collect from our generous donors and save money for the benefit of the wider NHS.

“The decision to move is part of NHS Blood and Transplant’s Blood 2020 strategy for England.”