Buckland is preferred site for new hospital
by
Graham Tutthill
Buckland Hospital has been chosen as the preferred site for
Dover's new community hospital - although the land may be
contaminated.
The East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust Board
gave the go ahead for the final planning stages but called for
other possibilities to be explored in case the contamination proves
to be serious.
"This is an important project for the trust and the people of
Dover and the surrounding districts," said foundation trust chief
executive Stuart Bain.
The move to Buckland followed concerns about flooding on the
previous site chosen for the proposed hospital at Maison Dieu
Road.
MP Gwyn Prosser has given his
backing to the latest plans.
"I believe the Buckland Hospital
site is the right one because the land is already owned by the
hospital trust.
"There will be no significant
planning barriers and it’s the only site that guarantees the
certainty that our much-needed new hospital will be delivered."
But former councillor Reg Hansell
is still calling for the hospital to be built at Whitfield, and
plans to make another plea at the Kent Health Overview and Scrutiny
Committee when it meets on Friday.
Full story in this week's Dover Mercury.
Tuesday, February 02 2010