THE elderly care block at Ronkswood Hospital has been saved by a city council U-turn.

Councillors had been minded to reject the application to keep the block and provide parking for the new county hospital elsewhere because of the impact on the landscape created by the extra parking spaces.

But at a planning committee meeting yesterday, councillors voted to approve the plan, which included keeping the elderly care block, with a number of conditions.

The earth bund around the site will be lowered by 18in, but new shrubs will be planted along the top and tree protection orders introduced.

Although the Ronkswood Action Group was not against keeping the block, members said they were worried about visitors parking in their streets.

They also voiced fears about the loss of privacy by lowering the earth bund.

Angela Carey, RAG member, accused the NHS Trust of drip-feeding planning applications and altering the original scheme.

"Ronkswood and Newtown residents shouldn't have to put up with a parking problem they're not responsible for and haven't created. And we assure you now they will not," said another RAG member, Amanda Birbeck. She said a multi-storey car park was the only solution, and some councillors agreed.

But Paul Taylor, acting chief executive for the Trust, said this was not economically viable. He said it would be difficult for the hospital to operate without the 86 beds in the block.

"Without it, patient care in Worcestershire would be seriously compromised. Our dream of a bright new hospital working well will turn into a nightmare."

One of councillors' main concerns was parking.

"You have to strike a delicate balance," said Andy Walford, the city council's senior engineer. "Too much parking, and the site's covered in tarmac and you generate more traffic. Too little, and you get parking problems in residential areas."

City council estimates revealed 1,217 spaces would be needed.

The county council estimated 1,339.

"Why can't we look at the figures presented by the Ronkswood Action Group," said Councillor Mary Drinkwater.

"They say 1,767 spaces are needed. Even if they're slightly wrong, it's still a lot more than what we have here."

Officers were adamant the proposed 1,322 spaces were satisfactory.

But they admitted the amount of parking required could only be judged once the hospital was operational.