Multi-million-pound plans for better mental health services for children are expected to get the go-ahead this week.

The proposals involve building a new in-patient and day-patient centre in the grounds of the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

The centre, expected to cost about £10 million, will include bedrooms, classrooms and dining and recreation rooms.

West Sussex Health and Social Care NHS Trust said the existing facilities in the hospital grounds, Colwood and Larchwood, were not suitable for modern care standards and urgently needed replacing.

The current facilities care for children and adolescents with mental health problems from throughout Sussex.

The proposed new building will provide assessment and treatment for vulnerable children and young people aged five to 19.

Nurses will co-ordinate treatment, working with doctors, occupational therapists, teachers and social workers.

Those who use the service tend to have complex mental health needs, for example severe depression, eating disorders, schizophrenia, phobias and mood disorders.

A trust spokesman said: "The new centre represents our continuing investment in children's mental health services at Princess Royal.

"This is about having first-class, properly designed buildings that look good and offer the best possible environment to the young people in our care.

"It is no more than they deserve."

The trust hopes to pay for the scheme by selling off land between Colwell Road and Southdowns Park for housing.

But any housing development will mean the loss of a former community centre, so the trust has agreed to pay Mid Sussex District Council £700,000 to replace it.

A council planning committee will discuss the application for the new children's centre and a separate application for permission to build at least 89 houses on the unwanted land tomorrow.

Objections to the proposals have included concerns about increased traffic congestion, noise and pollution and the impact on wildlife.

However, both applications have been recommended for approval by planning officers.