BELHAVEN — Belhaven has revoked the building permit and denied building plans for Vidant’s new multi-specialty clinic and helipad.

According to a press release from Vidant Health, the town revoked a building permit on Aug. 28 for a new 24-hour modern health care facility and helipad for integrated multi-specialty medical care and emergency medical transport in the Belhaven area. The town had originally approved the permit on Aug. 1.

“We are disappointed that the town of Belhaven would revoke a permit that they had already granted,” said Dr. David Herman, CEO of Vidant Health. “Belhaven and the region would benefit from this new facility. We remain committed to pursuing healthcare solutions that will serve this region.”

In Dec. 2013, Vidant Health purchased 19.4 acres between the post office and the Food Lion shopping center, south of U.S. Hwy 264, according to the release. The property at 601 Old County Rd. is within walking distance for Belhaven residents and serviceable by local utility operators.

The facility, which would include all Vidant Medical Group physicians, staff and services under one roof and have space available for specialists who see patients in the community, was proposed to supplement healthcare from the closing of Vidant Pungo Hospital on July 1. The site plan also includes a new helipad in Belhaven for emergency transports to a higher level of care for patients when needed, according to the release. Plans and renderings for the proposed $4.2 million multi-specialty clinic can be found at https://www.vidanthealth.com/belhaven.

Currently, Vidant Health is providing care at the 24/7 care clinic and at the three physician practices in Belhaven.

Belhaven Mayor Adam O’neal said Vidant bought the piece of property, which was not zoned for a clinic after being advised by the town that it was not popular to be rezoned. Last week, the town’s planning board met and voted unanimously to revoke the permit after reviewing the situation, O’Neal said.

“They were told that it was not popular to put a clinic in a residentially zoned area, but they continued pushing forward even knowing the piece was not popular to be rezoned,” O’Neal said. “We focus on reestablishing the hospital in Belhaven. A 24-hour doctor’s office in Belhaven is not the remedy we need.”