THE Wiltshire Health Auth-ority seemed likely today to approve the outline case for a private finance initiative for the redevelopment of Savernake Hospital in Marl-borough.

The proposals, the third of four options looked at and the one thought to be the most economic, are to erect new buildings.

These will house the new services around the existing day hospital, outpatients department and original hospital buildings and the sale for residential develop-ment of the northern end of the site.

The estimated capital cost of the work is £8.9 million, £5.2 million after the sale of the building land.

If approved by the Health Authority today, the scheme will be submitted to the regional office of the NHS for approval and could be put out to tender for a PFI early next year. Contract negotiations would follow with financial close and submission of a full business case for final approval by early 2003. Construction would then take place to allow full commissioning during 2004.