MORE time is needed to explore options for the future of Dartmouth and Kingswear Hospital – including possible key worker accommodation and almshousing - before responding to an NHS programme to sell the site, according to town councillors.

At the full Dartmouth Town Council meeting on Monday (July 5) councillors discussed a Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust “programme of engagement” on the future of the buildings, and backed a letter by Cllr Ged Yardy to request extra time.

Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust is looking to recoup £1million towards the town’s new £4.8million health and wellbeing centre through the sale of the site, while balancing the “social value” for the community. Any other profits from the site will be dispersed through Torbay and South Devon NHS.

A Trust spokesperson said: “We know what happens to the site of the former Dartmouth and Kingswear Hospital is important to the local community and the future of the town. We want to find a balance in the re-development plan between achieving market value and providing social value for local people and communities.

“We’ll work on options and then review them together to shortlist a number of re-development options which are realistic and feasible to deliver.”

The spokesperson said a stakeholder engagement group had been set up to discuss options, which will then be put to all residents. A final decision will be made by the Trust’s board of directors at a public meeting in October 2022.

In the Guildhall meeting on Monday Cllr Ged Yardy, a member of the engagement group, said the initial timescale was not only too short to collect ideas but also fell in the peak summer months.

“It effectively means the engagement process will be taking place over July and August, our busiest period,” Cllr Yardy told the meeting. “This is not a sufficient period of time to engage the people of Dartmouth and explore all options.

“I’ve spoken to Sir Richard Ibbotson, chair of the NHS Trust, who’s offered to extend the engagement period by a month, which is still woefully short. I believe the period should be extended to collate ideas.

“There’s some innovative ideas being put forward, including from Dartmouth United Charities for almshousing. We need to make sure all points are clearly received.

“It’s important the people of Dartmouth get chance to contact those that influence and those that make decisions.”

Councillors discussed the need for a Minor Injuries Unit, including x-ray provision, in the town. This will be added to Cllr Yardy’s letter to the NHS Trust, and forwarded to MP Anthony Mangnall.

Cllr Yardy said the NHS struggles to recruit local staff and “radiographers are as rare as hen’s teeth”.

Cllr Dawn Shepherd said Dartmouth needs more hospital key worker accommodation to attract staff, who cannot afford to live in the area.

Cllr Cathy Campos added: “The important thing is the NHS is trying to steamroll the consultation period through. We need to try to push that back, so everyone has a chance to speak.” She suggested Cllr Yardy’s letter be made available for residents to download and send to the MP.

Devon County and South Hams Cllr Jonathan Hawkins asked Town Mayor Graham Webb to call a public meeting in St Saviours in September for views to be aired and considered.

After the meeting Cllr Hawkins said: “The Trust’s proposal for consultation is totally unacceptable and we ask them to extend this into the autumn.

“The old hospital site is a once in a generation opportunity and the town needs to carefully consider how this important site can be redeveloped. It’s essential that we get this right and we must all work together.

“Dartmouth is in need of key worker’s accommodation, social rented homes and new sheltered housing. We urge the Trust to give Dartmouth and its residents time to come forward with a plan.”

The community hospital was closed in 2017. There’s a covenant on a small part of the site on the corner of Hauley Road which states that the land shall be held in perpetuity for the use and benefit of the Dartmouth and Kingswear Hospital. This use can be through housing of health workers or education, as well as direct patient care.