A controversial new breast cancer unit that has been opposed by 30,000 readers of the Argus could be approved by councillors tonight.

Two outline planning applications to build a new unit on the Princess Royal Hospital site in Haywards Heath were being discussed by Mid Sussex District Council.

The applications were made by the former Brighton Health Care NHS Trust, which also made an application for a new unit on the Rosaz House site in Bristol Gate, Brighton.

The trust, now the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, lodged three applications because it needs a new home for the Nigel Porter Unit for Breast Care, based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

It requires a larger complex to meet Government targets for breast cancer care.

The trust prefers the Haywards Heath option but health bosses were forced into lodging an application for a new site in Brighton as well when more than 30,000 campaigners signed our petition to keep the breast care unit in the city.

Brighton and Hove City Council granted permission for the Rosaz House site on July 3.

If the council approves the applications, the Mid Sussex and Brighton Primary Care Trusts will meet in September to decide whether to build in Haywards Heath or Brighton.