THE future of health care in Kidderminster will be safeguarded after campaigners claimed victory in a battle over the town's hospital site.

The Local Plan - a Wyre Forest District Council blueprint for future development - set aside all the land for the return of health services.

But Worcestershire Acute NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, challenged the plan at a public inquiry in October. It wanted flexibility to sell off up to 1.5 hectares fronting Franchise Street, Hume Street and Sutton Road which is currently used for car parking, a nursing school, offices and other ancillary buildings.

Now Whitehall inspector Stephen Pratt has rejected the trust's appeal and recommended no change to the original plan.

He said the trust's proposal would be "extremely short-sighted, particularly when the proposals to restructure health care provision in Kidderminster are so controversial and not yet fully proven".

Council leader, Howard Martin, of Health Concern, said it was "a triumph for MP Dr Richard Taylor, our constant campaign and common-sense".

"The site has been saved from the bulldozers and we look forward to more services being developed where they belong - in Wyre Forest," he said.

Dr Taylor, who gave evidence to the inquiry, said: "I am very relieved that the Inspector agreed with Health Concern."

He added that with current hospital services "creaking" across the county, it was essential to safeguard the whole site.

The inspector also said in his report: "As Dr Taylor says, the new regime is not working as well as it could," and added there had been recent changes in national policy for providing facilities.

"Other health trusts are finding shortcomings in reorganised healthcare facilities and are proposing other solutions, including enhancing facilities at existing hospitals," he said.

"This is a real kick in the teeth for the health trust," said Councillor Fran Oborski, who steered through the review of the Local Plan.

"The inspector does not believe they are delivering an adequate service for Wyre Forest. He is saying the hospital site must not be sold off. He is saying it must be kept to deliver desperately needed health services for local people in Wyre Forest."

The trust had told the inquiry it had no specific plans to sell off the land but was requesting the option.

A trust spokesman said this week the decision would not affect the day-to-day running of the diagnostic and treatment centres in Kidderminster which was the main concern.

He said the trust's solicitors were waiting for a copy of the report before offering any advice.