The new centre will cost �55m

The �55m project at Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham has been dogged by delays leading to fears that patients would be faced with long journeys for treatment.

Approval was given by a special full meeting of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

All councillors had to vote on the issue as the planning committee could not come to a unanimous decision.

Water supplies

The idea of a new cancer centre in East Yorkshire was approved by the government in February 2001.

But objections to the plans were raised by the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water who feared the building work could lead to water supplies to 30,000 people becoming contaminated.

Planning permission was delayed while a solution was found.

Local MPs and patients' groups have been pressing for the go-ahead for Castle Hill to be given.

Rising demand

They argued that the existing facilities for cancer patients in Hull and East Yorkshire will not be able to cope with rising demand.

Without Castle Hill, it was feared some patients might have to travel to Leeds or Sheffield for treatment.

In a statement, East Riding Council said: "This development is a major step forward in health care.

"The council is delighted that the planning issue has been resolved."