Overview and Scrutiny committee members heard St Peter's Hospital was 'untenable' and plans needed to progress for a new 'community hub'.

Chief Executive of Maldon District Council, Fiona Marshall, queried whether putting a new facility at Broomfield in place would take away resources from a planned community hospital.

Councillor Adrian Fluker asked when St Peter’s was closing, saying providers needed to support the Maldon Hall Farm plans as moving all services back to Broomfield was too far away for residents.

They include a proposed ‘community health hub’ as well as 320 new homes.

He said: “Maldon is a peninsula area.

“Everyone is very concerned because we are a long way from Broomfield hospital.

“Are providers on board with Maldon Hall or not?”