DREAMS of a new community hospital in Pershore are set to become a reality after council chiefs gave the £6m project the green light.

Work on the three-storey complex is now set to start next summer after councillors at Wychavon District Council yesterday approved the design, to be built behind the town's Civic Centre by the summer of 2007.

It will boast 26 beds and a practice for 13 doctors - replacing the existing 19-bed Defford Road hospital and Pershore Health Centre, in Priest Lane, which will stay open until the new building is complete.

Dr Chris Perks, of Pershore Health Centre, said: "We want to make sure this is something Pershore can be proud of.

"I genuinely think this is the most exciting thing that's happened in Pershore.

"We are extremely delighted. There's a few more steps to make and plenty of work to be done but we are very pleased this important step has been taken."

Michael Amies, vice chairman of Pershore Cottage Hospital's League of Friends, added: "It's wonderful news.

"The complex will be in walking distance for many people and means Pershore residents will have state-of-the-art health care on their doorstep rather than having to travel to hospitals in Worcester."

Councillors rejected fears raised by former Pershore district councillor Doris Fawcett, who claimed the project had a lack of parking and would cause serious traffic jams in the town, affecting trade.

Extra parking

In total 124 new parking spaces will be created as part of the scheme.

Improvements will also be made to traffic light systems in nearby Worcester Road, as well as a new zebra crossing and bus shelter.

Councillors unanimously approved the scheme, subject to highways bosses being satisfied with plans to combat extra traffic.

The news comes after the Evening News "Save our Surgeries" campaign in March following changes to Government funding rules that jeopardised the new Pershore health centre and hospital.

The campaign proved a success and, in June, the Government announced seven of the eight surgeries would receive financial backing.

This left just one - an extension at Abbottswood Medical Centre, in Pershore - in question.

South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, which has been spearheading the proposals, says it hopes to finance the Abbottswood scheme from its own coffers.