£3m Malton hospital scheme gets go-ahead (From Gazette & Herald)

£3m Malton hospital scheme gets go-ahead

AMBITIOUS £3m plans to secure the long-term future of Malton Hospital were given the green light by Ryedale councillors last night.

However, because of worries by neighbours, further talks are to be held by planning officers with the Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Primary Care Trust (PCT) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) over the siting of a liquid oxygen store.

Several residents urged the council's planning committee to press for the store to be put underground to reduce any risk of an explosion and damage to nearby households. After the meeting, Michael Whitworth, the PCT chief executive, said of the planning approval: "It is splendid news for Malton and the whole of Ryedale. It will bring the hospital and its facilities into the 21st century, ensuring its viability and success."

Earlier, Mr Whitworth had told the committee that the oxygen store did comply with HSE regulations - "a modern hospital cannot function without oxygen".

He added that it is planned to start work on the development in July. He believed the plan would see the store accommodate about 1,000 litres of oxygen.

Martin Fillingham, of Orchard Road, Malton, said the neighbours had been forced into "a confrontational stance".

"We understand the need for bulk oxygen storage to reduce dangers within the hospital. However, the problem lies with the scale of the bulk storage and the way that it is being inserted onto the site without adequate insulation."

Mr Fillingham believed that with a 1,000-litre store, if there was an explosion, an area of about quarter of an acre around it would be affected, causing extensive damage to property and people. He urged councillors: "Sink the tank in a reinforced concrete-lined pit. Bury the tank, not us."

But committee chairman Coun Allin Jenkins said the issue of the oxygen store was for the HSE, not the planning committee.

Coun Helen Schroeder said the council should welcome the development, but she could appreciate the neighbours' concerns and she asked planners to "alleviate their concerns".

Coun Howard Keal said the development would provide new jobs and more beds for the hospital. "The viability of the hospital must not be put at risk," he added.

He did not believe the PCT would put people at risk if there was any likelihood at all of an explosion.

Coun Keith Knaggs said there were no grounds to delay the scheme and it would have enormous benefits to Ryedale. "It is something we have been looking forward to for years," he said.

The development will include the building of a single-storey ward, two single-storey extensions, car parking, access alterations and the oxygen store. The scheme will provide the hospital with its biggest redevelopment since it was opened, says the PCT.

Residents said in letters to the committee that while they welcomed the development plans, they were worried about safety measures and the possible risk posed by the oxygen store.

Barbara Allaker said: "We have vigorously and wholeheartedly supported the hospital for over 30 years as neighbours."

The planned 24-bed ward would extend opportunities at the hospital, she said, adding "it will provide a long-awaited upgrading of our much-loved hospital". But she said that neighbours were seeking assurances about the potential danger. She hoped consideration might be given to re-siting the oxygen tank.

Coun Paul Andrews backed the call for a more suitable and less intrusive site for the oxygen tank.

Planning manager Gary Housden said it was possible for the scheme to be approved and for further negotiations to continue with regard to the oxygen tank.

Jill Knight, vice-chairman of the district Patients' Forum, said: "This is a major upgrade for the hospital and a wonderful opportunity. It is a very important endorsement of the value of the hospital."

Tony Stuttard, environmental health officer for RDC, said the tank would have a 1,000-litre capacity. The legal separation distance from the boundary was 5m, but at Malton Hospital it would be 9m.

Updated: 10:46 Wednesday, June 30, 2004