The hospital, which will replace the crumbling Stead Memorial, will be built next to West Dyke Road in Redcar.

Some residents are against building on green belt land but health officials say the field is the best option.

The hospital, a joint project between Langbaurgh Primary Care Trust and Redcar and Cleveland Council, will have 32 beds and a minor injuries unit.

The original plan to build the hospital at nearby Wheatacres had to be scrapped because it was too close to the Wilton chemical plant.

The new hospital, health centre and care home will replace the ageing Stead hospital and the health centre on Coatham road, using open land on the Lakes estate.

'More comfortable'

About 30 people had attended a meeting with health officials over concerns about the project.

John Doherty, a Redcar GP and trust executive chairman, said all but three now felt reassured by the plans.

He said: "I understand the concerns but after the meeting most people had been convinced and felt much more comfortable about the plans.

"...There aren't any other sites available in Redcar which would be suitable in terms of accessibility and distance patients would have to travel."