Blow to plans for new Sudbury Hospital

12 June 2001

Plans to build a new £12 million hospital in Sudbury have been dealt a severe blow following the threat of a renewed objection to the site being used for health care development.

The shocking news will be given to members of Sudbury Town Council tonight (Tuesday) by Johanna Finn chief executive of the West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust which is leading the project.

"We are devastated by what has happened and will be holding urgent talks with everyone who has been working so hard to create a new hospital with associated modern health and social care facilities in Sudbury," she said.

The blow was dealt to the project at the 11th hour when a property developer representing the farming brothers Colin and David Steed told the trust that they would be renewing their legal objection to the proposed site, Harps Close Meadow, being used for the hospital development.

The Steeds, who have already had their case to have the land declared as village green defeated in the High Court, now believe a further ruling can be used to support their claim.

"With this new uncertainty about the status of the land, even though we have planning permission for Subury's much needed new hospital, we are advised that there is now no chance of finding a funder for the project in the private or public sector," said Miss Finn.

"After many years of waiting Sudbury had never been closer to having its brand new hospital. The plans were just about to clear the last hurdles in the process when the Steeds stepped in again after many months of silence. They have done the people of Sudbury no favours at all.”

The Steeds have been communicating with the trust via local property developer Andrew Harding who has proposed that they would be willing to offer some of their land for the new hospital providing their conditions are met.

"We will be taking legal advice and revisiting the other options we considered but discarded in favour of Harps Close Meadow as well as looking at any new options - including the Steeds' proposal," said Miss Finn. "Whatever the outcome, our hopes of building this new hospital will be delayed by at least a year whilst the work is undertaken.

"One of the reasons for choosing Harps Close Meadow was that the NHS had already spent £l million on acquiring the site and putting in the infrastructure.