Homes scheme on hold as new hospital under review

A housing scheme remains on hold after plans for a new hospital were thrown into doubt.

The proposal could see homes for elderly people built next to the new facility in Consett, County Durham.

The new unit, to replace the existing Shotley Bridge Hospital, was granted planning permission by the previous Conservative government, but is now on a list of "uncosted projects", which is under review.

The local housing association, Karbon Homes, said it was "following closely" conversations about the future of the new site.

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said it was not involved with "any other developments" planned for the site of the new hospital building.

Conversations about "an apartment scheme for older people" on land next to the new hospital started years ago, the housing association said.

Kevin Earley, secretary of Shotley Bridge Hospital Support Group, said: "If the site goes ahead, you might want to build a new GP clinic here that would cover all the new houses.

"That would be good. You'd have a health village set up, that would be a tremendous asset for the town."

Zoey Hawthorne, assistant director of development delivery at Karbon Homes, said: "We're closely following the conversation around the future of the new hospital scheme and hope to see positive progress for the benefit of the community.

"There's a high demand for affordable housing of this nature in the area and we remain interested in exploring the possibility of providing housing as one element of this wider regeneration project."

Shotley Bridge Hospital opened in 1912 and is a site cancer patients can receive chemotherapy, however, the ageing facility leaks heat and needs rebuilding.

The previous Conservative government gave the go-ahead for the new hospital in 2023, but the Department of Health and Social Care said the programme was "undeliverable and unfunded".

A spokesperson said rebuilds of hospitals built primarily from RAAC and those with an approved "full business case" would continue as planned.

"Our review will provide a thorough, costed, and realistic timeline for delivery of the rest of the programme to ensure we can replace the crumbling hospital estate in England," they added.

Campaigners said people felt "neglected" after the latest delay in the project.

Marion Ward, 90, who trained at the hospital in 1954, and now chairs Shotley Bridge Hospital Support Group, said: "It was all hope, but seems it has gone down the pan a bit.

"I think people are really feeling left out."

Liz Twist, the Labour MP for Blaydon and Consett, said she had spoken to Health Secretary Wes Streeting and would continue fighting for the hospital.

"It's not cancelled, it's under review," Twist said.

"The plans are well advanced and together with the campaigners I'll be pushing that case."

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