by Graham Tutthill

Buckland Hospital has been chosen as the preferred site for Dover's new community hospital - although the land may be contaminated.

The East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust Board gave the go ahead for the final planning stages but called for other possibilities to be explored in case the contamination proves to be serious.

"This is an important project for the trust and the people of Dover and the surrounding districts," said foundation trust chief executive Stuart Bain.

The move to Buckland followed concerns about flooding on the previous site chosen for the proposed hospital at Maison Dieu Road.

MP Gwyn Prosser has given his backing to the latest plans.

"I believe the Buckland Hospital site is the right one because the land is already owned by the hospital trust.

"There will be no significant planning barriers and it’s the only site that guarantees the certainty that our much-needed new hospital will be delivered."

But former councillor Reg Hansell is still calling for the hospital to be built at Whitfield, and plans to make another plea at the Kent Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee when it meets on Friday.

Full story in this week's Dover Mercury.