A petition has been launched calling for land at Harwich Hospital to only be used for health services when it is developed.

Tendring Primary Care Trust has put forward plans for a new health centre and hospital in the town, including the suggestion of selling off some land for housing.

The idea has angered campaigners, who want to see the Main Road site kept solely for NHS health services.

Members of the Community Representatives' Party collected signatures from the public at Parkeston Safeway on Monday against on-site residences.

The petition calls for any future development to be just for health services, while supporting a new health centre and hospital.

District and town councillor Steven Henderson said: "The petition went very well and I'm quite surprised how many people queued up to sign the petition and how many people were fully aware that some of the land could be used for housing."

Mr Henderson said the petitions would be available for people to sign in shops in the Harwich area

Published Wednesday, May 21, 2003

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