PLANS to build a brand new multi-million pound hospital in Okehampton have taken a step forward — a site for the new building has been agreed.

Exeter and District Community Health Trust confirmed this week an option has been secured on land in Okehampton's Crediton Road.

Topsy Murray, chief officer with Mid Devon Primary Care Group, said: 'What that means is that the developer has agreed to sell the land to us, provided we complete the sale within a certain time period.

'An outline planning application should be with the borough council in the next couple of weeks.

'It's certainly progress and it's good news — it should make the whole thing more real for the people of Okehampton.'

Mrs Murray said there were still many stages to go through but at least securing the site was 'another step forward' and she said so far, things were going 'terribly well'.

Okehampton GP Paul Nielson, who has been at the forefront of the hospital campaign, said: 'I have been working on this for seven years now — I can't tell you how pleased I am.

'It's been like the Grand National. You get over one fence and find you've another 32, then another lap!

'We're really getting there now and it's all systems go.'

Dr Nielson said the project team which will co-ordinate the design of the new hospital met for the first time on Monday.

'We will be setting up working groups which will include the public, patients, cleaners, nurses, physiotherapists etc. Each group will come back to us with what they feel the design should be.

'What we want to ensure is that as many people as possible are involved in the design of it and the day-to-day working of the hospital — that's the philosophy really,' he said.

Dr Nielson said the project team would be meeting monthly from now on — he hoped a design brief could be put to architects by the autumn, who will then tender for the project.

The new £4.5-million hospital is expected to be complete in around two years' time and will replace the two existing buildings in Okehampton — the Castle Hospital and District Hospital.

The Health Trust considers these buildings too expensive to modernise and has agreed a new hospital is the most cost-effective solution.

West Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett said he was 'delighted' at the news.

'I pay tribute to the team that have been involved and I very much hope that Okehampton will have the hospital it so richly deserves,' he said.

'We have had a great deal of support from the health authority as well as the Trust.'

Mr Burnett said there were four main issues he was particularly concerned about.

'Firstly, there should be no closure of any hospital until the new one is opened and functioning.

'Secondly, there should be no redundancies.

'Thirdly, the facilities we already enjoy, including maternity, are included.

'And fourthly, that we have facilities that enable consultants to come to Okehampton rather than patients having to drive miles.'

The Trust confirmed in April that services already provided in Okehampton would 'grow and expand as the need arises' in the new hospital.

Chris Watson, principal planning officer at West Devon Borough Council, confirmed an outline application was expected 'imminently'.

'Although the site is on land allocated for housing, a hospital may well be acceptable on the site, subject to fitting in with its surroundings,' he said.

Cllr Christine Marsh, mayor of Okehampton, said: 'I am thrilled to bits that this is no longer just rumour, it's really happening.

'Yet again this is something good for Okehampton.'