MALDON’S Victorian hospital should be replaced by a new facility on a new site, councillors have insisted.

St Peter’s Hospital, in Spital Road, is set to be replaced or overhauled and redeveloped, though no official dates have been set.

But last month the Standard revealed there were four options for a new hospital – two of which include retaining the existing site.

Previous assessments found the site would not be viable as a hospital in the future and suggested a new community facility should be built elsewhere.

Maldon District Council’s Community Services Committee has now decided to recommend that a new facility is built.

Councillor Neil Pudney told Burnham Town Council: “The fourth option was to move elsewhere and that was what we decided would be best.

“To refurbish and refit the whole place would have cost a fantastic amount of money, because the site wasn’t built with the purpose of being a hospital in the first place.

“There are a couple of possible sites that have been put forward, but no decisions have been made on where the best option is yet.

“Whatever happens, I think it is extremely important that we get somewhere that can deal with and treat minor injuries in Maldon.”

The matter will now be discussed at the council’s planning and licensing committee.

A project manager has been appointed to oversee the new developments.

The proposals include refurbishing the current St Peter’s Hospital buildings, completely knocking down and rebuilding on site, a refurb and new build on-site combination and a completely new build on a new site.

Maldon District Council and the Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group are working together to decide how future healthcare facilities in the district should look.

The CCG said developing an updated community health facility in Maldon is an important part of its draft Strategic Estates Plan. Maldon District Council’s planning and licensing committee meets tonight.