SOUTH Worcestershire Prim-ary Care Trust and Malvern Town Council are at loggerheads over the proposed new community hospital due to be built in the town.

In order to raise funds towards the project, the Trust indicated it would probably have to sell of part of the proposed health authority-owned Seaford Court site.

But Malvern Hills District Council planners have designated the site to be for 'health use' only.

Mike Ridley, chief executive of the PCT, has written to the town council asking for it to clarify its position on the district planning restriction - but the council is refusing to respond until the PCT indicates a firm start date and the commitment to build.

Chairman of the town Council Ralph Madden has now written back to Mr Ridley, inviting him to come 'off the fence', obtain Strategic Health Authority support for the project and give a commitment to build.

"The town council fully supports the building of a new flagship hospital for Malvern and we hope and expect the PCT Board to honour its commitment to build it and to publish its building programme at the earliest possible date" he said.

Mr Madden has asked for answers to questions about the 'financial envelope' the PCT is working within, what services and how many beds will be available within this budget, how much of the site needs to be sold, how much will be kept for future expansion and the date the business plan will be approved and submitted to the SHA.

"In the council's opinion, answers are needed to these questions to allow proper debate before the council can respond to the request," he added.

But Mr Ridley said there is no way that he can give indication of the financial aspects of the scheme until a developer is found who can help with that kind of information.

But a developer cannot be found until there is some indication that planning restrictions may be relaxed. The ball's in the district court. "It's a circular argument," Mr Ridley said.

"I have assured them that I will sign, in blood, my commitment to building a new hospital for Malvern, but I can't afford to keep all of the proposed land."