MALDON District Council’s leader has vowed to continue the fight for the town’s new community hospital.

St Peter’s Hospital, in Spital Road, is set to be replaced but progress on deciding a new location for the service has been slow.

Maldon District Council had previously admitted the plans were behind schedule and has been working with the Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to move forward.

Council leader Miriam Lewis has now pledged to “not give up” and seek commitment on the plans from the CCG.

In her leader’s speech at full council last week she said: “Progress of the community hospital project continues to be a source of disappointment.

“Whilst it is not simply within our gift to provide a new community hospital – it would have been done now if that was the case – we have relentlessly lobbied, identified opportunities and funding possibilities.

“In the light of the further delays, and the recent temporary closure of wards at St. Peter’s hospital, we are seeking the formal commitment from the Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group to deliver an up-to-date, good quality community health facility in the district and that they will take the lead in delivering this critical project whilst assuring them of our continued support and that assistance we can give.

“We do not give up.”

Last year consultants Arcadis were brought in to assess work on the scale of a new hospital.

A spokesman for the CCG said: “The CCG continues to work with local providers and Maldon District Council to develop proposals for a new local health facility for residents of Maldon District.”

A spokesman for Mid Essex Hospital Trust said: “Maldon District Council and the Mid Essex CCG are leading a project group looking at options for the provision of healthcare facilities in Maldon. Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust continues to be part of this working group and is working closely with both the CCG and the district council as part of the project steering group.”