OUTRAGED, angry, dismayed, and disgusted were just some of the reactions from Westbury townsfolk over plans to build houses on the Westbury Hospital site.
There was a resounding thumbs down to the plans at a display held at the Laverton on Wednesday 11th February.
The plans showed the NHS’s intention to apply for outline planning permission for 72 houses on the 2.3 hectare site, before offering it to housing developers.
Residents from across the town viewed the plans and voiced their disdain aloud, in writing, and online.
Erica Watson, on behalf of the League of Friends said the group was ‘saddened and disappointed’ over the proposals and felt that the community should have been kept informed of the process of disposing of what is essentially a building which was funded by the Westbury people.
And she called for a public vote for the hospital to be retained as a care facility
“Via donations from the community, the League of Friends has given in excess of one million pounds to the hospital and is saddened that the NHS has left the Westbury people feeling ignored again,” she told White Horse News.
“While we appreciate the financial restraints of the NHS, both nationally and locally, we would ask where those patients who are well enough to be discharged from the RUH and other acute hospitals, but not well enough to go home, should be looked after?
“The hospital site would be ideal for this purpose allowing local people access to the care which they need and deserve. The LOF is confident that, given the opportunity, the Westbury and surrounding area would all vote for the hospital to be retained as a care facility. Will the NHS give us the opportunity to be heard?”
Former Mayor Charlie Finbow said it was an ‘outrage’ and called on Westbury Town Council to demand a public meeting.
“Come on Westbury, stand up and be counted; we’ve had enough of being the poor cousin of Wiltshire,” he said.
Penelope Birnstingl said, “I am dismayed and angry at the news about the proposed development of the hospital site in Westbury. Why does Westbury have to have so many new houses? Where are the facilities for all these extra people? We must not allow this to happen. There must be no more houses until we get a bypass and more facilities for the town.”
Another Westbury resident Mary Blood said, “We think it is scandalous to sell off Westbury hospital site for housing, when it could be used for long term patients who are bed-blocking. The NHS is always complaining about being short of beds!”
Paul Moulson asked, “Where is the infrastructure to cope? The roads, shopping etc; has the council lost all sense?” while David Martin-Nash commented, “I thought the hospital was donated to the people of Westbury in the 1900s… Therefore is it not right that the people of Westbury should decide what happens to the building?”
Bernard Collis said, “The hospital and grounds were given to the people of westbury in the early 1900s, so it should never have even been considered for outline planning permission without consulting the people. It’s just another case of the council running roughshod over the people.”
For more or the residents’ opinions click here.
