'Deep concerns' over potential site of new hospital

A council has written to the government with "deep concerns" over speculation new hospital buildings could be built on a golf course in Surrey.

Two thirds of Frimley Park Hospital was built using reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (raac), which can fail when exposed to moisture.

Work to replace the hospital buildings is due to begin in 2030, but the NHS has not revealed where, saying it will do so "as soon as commercial confidentiality restrictions have passed".

Dr Al Pinkerton, MP for Surrey Heath, said it was an "open secret" the NHS wanted to build on Pine Ridge Golf Club, which Surrey Heath Borough Council now says would not be in the public interest.

Council leader Shaun Macdonald said in a letter to health secretary Wes Streeting that the proposed site had "a number of flaws" and residents were "deeply concerned".

He said it would increase ambulance transport times as the site is further "from the centre of gravity of the population area", has poor public transport links, and is surrounded by four schools and residential areas.

Mr Macdonald also warned the move would mean losing a significant leisure facility.

He said the land was historically owned by the council, which set up the Frimley Fuel Allotments charity "in good faith to secure its ongoing benefit to our local community".

"For [the land] to now be bought by the NHS for tens of millions of pounds, to buy out the lease of an independent commercial venture, and reduce residents' access to physical health and mental wellbeing facilities, whilst the charity remains in significant financial surplus, is ethically challenging," he wrote.

The council is calling for an independent assessment of the rebuild and has suggested using a 10-acre site owned by the Ministry of Defence.

Mr Macdonald said this land is next to the existing hospital, is underused and already has much of the necessary infrastructure in place.

The BBC put Mr Macdonald's comment to the MoD, which said it would not comment on speculation.

A spokesperson for the Frimley Health NHS foundation Trust said they were unable to add anything to their previous statement when it announced a "preferred" site had been confirmed, but would not reveal where that was.

The trust said a final decision had not yet been made as there would be an independent statutory planning consultation and application process.

It added there would be "a robust and substantial public engagement and involvement programme immediately following the announcement".

The trust said it planned to retain some of "the best parts" of the existing site.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said it had received the letter and would reply in due course.

A spokesperson said: "No decisions have been made on the site of the new Frimley Park Hospital.

"All assessments follow due process, and any location that's chosen must meet the needs of patients and staff as well as delivering maximum value for taxpayers' money."

Pine Ridge Golf Club previously told the BBC it was aware of the speculation and it had a "long lease" with Frimley Fuel Allotments.

Frimley Fuel Allotments have been contacted for comment.

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