OPEN land on the north-east edge of Malvern is the possible site being proposed for a new hospital.

The site is behind Lower Howsell Road and between the A449 and the railway line, outside the town's settlement boundary.

Most of it is owned by farmer Marcus Wilesmith, of Broadwas, and the rest by the Johnson and Lewis Trustees.

The owners, through land agents Savills, have made the proposal to South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust and Malvern Hills District Council.

The site is about 130 acres and the owners propose to donate up to six acres for the hospital. Access could be off the roundabout at the bottom of the Link, beside Countrywide.

Among the site's advantages is that it is flatter than Seaford Court and would give room for expansion and more car parking.

Speaking exclusively to the Gazette this week, Mr Wilesmith said: "There are no conditions attached to this offer whatsoever, apart from asking the PCT or county council to pay for the access road."

But he said he had long hoped to develop this land. In the early 1990s, he tried unsuccessfully to get it designated for high-tech industry.

At this week's trust meeting, the board voted to find out more, but chief executive Mike Ridley warned it could delay the Seaford Court plans.

Ralph Madden, town council chairman, said: "The one thing we don't want is a delay, but I think the PCT is duty-bound to see if this plan makes sense. Speaking personally, I can see some merits in the plan."

Town councillor Paul Tuthill said the PCT should proceed at full speed with Seaford Court. "This could be a distraction for years. The people of Malvern have said they want the hospital at Seaford Court and if people want to make a contribution, they can contribute to that."

n Mike Ridley will be moving to an acting-chief executive post in Stoke-on-Trent from November 2.

Trust spokesman Janet Ferguson said the move would not affect the Malvern hospital project.

Herefordshire PCT chief executive Paul Bates will become acting-chief executive for the SWPCT.