THE new community hospital in the Forest of Dean will be built on the site of a skate park and playing fields, it has been revealed.

Gloucestershire Health and Care (GHC) NHS Foundation Trust said it was “delighted” to announce the location for the new community hospital had been identified, following a year of joint work with Cinderford Town Council.

The Trust plans to acquire and build on the Collingwood Skatepark and Lower High Street Playing Field in Steam Mills Road, Cinderford, a site which it says will put the new hospital close to the town centre and make it as accessible as possible whether travelling by car or by public transport.

The plan to replace Lydney and the Dilke hospitals with a single new hospital has seen a long-running controversy in the Forest, and there was a mixed reaction to the latest news, with Forest Council district members from Lydney voicing dismay.

Cllr James Bevan, current chairman of the authority and Independent Alliance member for Lydney East, called it a ‘slap in the eye’.

He said: “I am pleased that they have put it in a sensible place in Cinderford, but I’m also displeased for Lydney and Tidenham, who are rapidly expanding more than anywhere else in the Forest, who do need another facility.

“I do believe we have got to push for a second hospital in the Lydney area. We must do.”

Cllr Alan Preest (Con. Lydney East) said the town ‘need to make our voices heard’ in order to get modern medical facilities if Lydney Hospital is to close.

“We are already looking to re-group with the Friends of Lydney Hospital.

“It is imperative now that the doctors in our town, the two surgeries at Severnbanks and the Newerne Street car park area, get together and get a clincial commissioning facility in Lydney. We want more than the basics of day patient services for the town.”

Cinderford councillors welcomed the announcement of the new site, which follows the recommendation for a hospital in the town from a Citizen’s Jury last year.

Calling for enhanced transport services, Cinderford Town Council chairman Chris Witham said of the new hospital: “I think it is important for the town... with the decision having been made, it is our responsibility to get the very best for Cinderford.

“You will never find an ideal solution which suits everyone, but what we have got is a significant and important investment in the town,” he added.

Cinderford Forest councillor Max Coburn said: “I would rather see the two hospitals stay intact, but we have got no choice.

“The next best thing is for a hospital in Cinderford.

“They have done the consultation on it, they have ruled that Cinderford is the best place for it, so that’s brilliant.”

Angela Potter, Director of Strategy and Partnership at GHC NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This is an exciting milestone which brings us a step closer to our vision of a modern, purpose-built hospital for the Forest of Dean.

“Working in partnership with the town council and Forestry England, we believe we have found an excellent site and one which best suits the needs of the people of the Forest, in line with the recommendations of the Citizen’s Jury.”

A new replacement skate park is to be built at Miner’s Field, off Barleycorn Square.

The new hospital is set to be up and running by 2022.