The brakes have been slammed on plans to build a multi-million pound community hospital for the Maldon district.

A land ownership wrangle has meant Maldon and South Chelmsford Primary Care Trust (PCT) has been forced to pull the plug on buying land off Limebrook Way in Maldon.

Now the PCT is in talks with Mid Essex Hospitals NHS Trust, which owns "ageing" St Peter's Hospital in Maldon about a possible redevelopment of the Spital Road site.

Despite the setback, the PCT is still "looking for an alternative site" to build the facility, however, health bosses previously admitted there was a lack of suitable sites in Maldon.

A spokesman for the PCT confirmed today: "Maldon and South Chelmsford Primary Care Trust is in discussions with Mid Essex Hospital Trust about the redevelopment of the St Peter's Hospital site.

"Unfortunately, the owners of the preferred site on Limebrook Way were unable to gain Absolute Title from the Land Registry, which means the PCT is not in a position to pursue that option. The PCT is still keen to find a new site for the hospital, but, at present, there are no options."

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Published Tuesday, January 17, 2006

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