IT is good to know that our district council is taking significant steps to promote the redevelopment of the North Gate area of Devizes, but disappointing that the council is supporting the transfer of the hospital to Green Lane.

It is our view the hospital serves the community well and provides a pleasant environment for staff and patients alike.

The present location of the hospital is convenient for access by the majority of the Devizes community, close to the public transport hub of the town and to all the other services of the town centre.

The suggested move to Green Lane will make the hospital far less accessible and convenient to many, especially as parking capacity is expected to be restricted to encourage use of public transport. It is also suggested that the number of beds will be reduced, despite the additional housing planned for Devizes, and other services restricted by comparison with the present hospital.

The argument for pursuing the move appears to be to obtain developer gain on the existing Commercial Road site, by replacing the hospital with housing, or with Wharf-related activities.

This seems to us to be sacrificing the convenience of hospital patients to the interests of property development profit, which should not be the primary obligation of the council to its citizens.

In contrast, the trust believes that the council's desire to redevelop the North Gate site is a wise one. Unlike the hospital proposal, this property development will meet a genuine need and is long overdue.

The present Bath Road approach to Devizes town centre is not attractive and with an enlightened scheme could bring both environmental benefits and a higher quality of retailing.

One of the reasons for this is the congestion caused by our lack of a bypass for through traffic, but there are other reasons too, notably the lack of retail properties of a size suitable for national retail names like Monsoon or Austin Reed.

The North Gate scheme should create such high quality retail spaces, as well as improving the streetscape of the New Park Street area, and bring greater prosperity to Devizes.

JEFF ODY

Chairman

The Trust for Devizes