A PROPOSED Hampshire hospital whose future is in doubt has been approved by planners.

The planning application for the new hospital between Winchester and Basingstoke has been conditionally backed by councillors on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

The future of the £150 million critical treatment hospital and cancer support centre near junction 7 of the M3 was thrown into doubt last month when clinical commissioning groups revealed a £60 million funding gap.

Today Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust welcomed the support from the council.

Mary Edwards, chief executive of HHFT, said: “We are very pleased to receive conditional planning approval to build a critical treatment hospital and cancer treatment centre which will enable us to improve the services we offer to the local community.

"This decision provides further evidence that our proposal to build on the site near junction 7 of the M3 is viable, ahead of any public consultation. This is an important next step."

Mrs Edwards added: "Our proposal to centralise services for the sickest and most at risk in a critical treatment hospital at this location will mean we have a sustainable and affordable way to provide even better services for our sickest patients, as well as allowing us to develop services in our local hospitals in Andover, Basingstoke and Winchester to meet the needs of our expanding population.”

ARK Cancer Centre Charity has welcomed the show of support from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for a new Cancer Treatment Centre (CTC).

Ark Cancer Centre Charity is raising £5million towards the cost of the cancer centre. While the centre will primarily be funded by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the charity appeal is crucial to ensuring that it will deliver radiotherapy, chemotherapy, complementary and support services under one roof in a calm and uplifting environment.

Ark trustee Merv Rees, who is also clinical director of surgery at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Everyone involved in the charity and Cancer Treatment Centre campaign is delighted that Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has given conditional approval to the plans for the CTC and the CTH at the preferred location.

“Patients and user groups, whose views have been key to the design of the cancer centre, have told us that it is crucial that this beacon NHS centre is sited at a location that will be easily accessible to people across the Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust area. The preferred site will deliver this.”

Mr Rees added: “There is a compelling need for the CTC and CTH – both will save lives and change lives for the better.”