Construction of the new facility in Consett, which includes a 16-bed in-patient rehabilitation ward and urgent treatment centre, is expected to be completed by 2030. 

The project received planning permission in 2023 but has been plagued by delays and inflated costs. 

Now, developer Project Genesis confirmed the site at Derwent View is being prepared for the new Shotley Bridge Hospital. 

Local developer Project Genesis confirmed the site at Derwent View is currently being prepared for the new Shotley Bridge Hospital. (Image: Project Genesis)

Mike Clark, director of Project Genesis, said: “For years, there’s been understandable concern in Consett about the future of hospital provision and whether the town would lose its chance of a modern healthcare facility. Project Genesis has worked hard to make sure that doesn’t happen.

“These remediation works are another important step forward, making the site ready, putting the right infrastructure in place and ensuring we’re in the strongest possible position to move ahead when the anticipated agreement is finalised and the trust’s business case approvals are secured.

County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust has received funding to develop its outline business for the new facility, but work is not expected to start until at least next year. 

Regional NHS bosses belatedly received confirmation that the Shotley Bridge Hospital scheme will progress in January 2025 after Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced it is within wave one of the revised New Hospital Programme.

Plans for the new hospital have been redesigned with the in-patient provision moved from the first floor to the ground floor. A new planning application will need to be submitted after the previous proposal expired in 2024. 

Mr Clark added: “We’ve remained committed to this because we believe Consett deserves a new hospital and because, without that commitment, there was a real risk the opportunity could have been lost altogether.

“We will continue doing everything we can to help bring this hospital forward for the people of Consett and the wider area.”

The Derwent View site was identified as the most suitable for the new hospital in 2018.