Hospital plan gets go-ahead

Healthcare would suffer without the hospital, a councillor says

Controversial plans to build a private hospital in Scarborough have been given the go-ahead.

Two councillors walked out of Tuesday night's borough council meeting after the chair had cast the deciding vote to support the plans.

Independent Care wants to build the private hospital on playing fields next to Throxenby Hall in Newby.

But a number of councillors have opposed the plan because it is on a greenfield site.

The company wants to erect utility buildings, a car park and landscape the grounds.

Seven councillors voted for the development and seven voted against.

Chair of the meeting Councillor Lucy Haycock said she had decided to vote for the scheme because healthcare in the community was suffering without it.

Any objectors to the plans now have 21 days to register their views before the development goes any further.