Sir Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead, has written an open letter to the West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust calling for a ‘fresh eyes’ approach to the redevelopment proposals.

The Trust continue to refuse to consider the most obvious choice – a clean new greenfield site – in favour of redevelopment of the existing site in the Victorian backstreets of Watford next to the football club.

He said:

“This is ridiculous, the Trust is about to experience a high turnover of senior staff at the highest level with the CEO, Deputy CEO and Director of Acute Redevelopment all about to leave their posts. Where is the ‘fresh eyes’ approach promised back in March?

“The Treasury Green Book is being ignored, the project is being delayed directly as a result of the fixation on the Watford site.

“The Trust has received excellent submissions from campaigners who believe a greenfield site is the best solution, but they are being ignored.

“The Trust’s flawed and rushed decisions must be challenged.”