Planning permission is being sought for a new hospital in Mid Wales – next door to one threatened with closure.

But health chiefs say the application is a renewal of existing permission with the aim of keeping their options open. Powys County Council’s Brecknockshire planning sub-committee will be asked tomorrow to support the proposal.

The plan is for a new community hospital immediately south-west of Bronllys Hospital.

It was originally submitted to the former Brecknock Borough Council in 1994 by a former health trust, but has been revived by Powys Local Health Board.

A board spokeswoman said approval for the plan on land next to the chapel on the Bronllys Hospital site was originally submitted 13 years ago, but not taken up.

“We would never let something like that drop, it’s just as an option,” she added.

But Paul Shackson, for the board, said: “The idea was an extension to Bronllys, but nothing was signed off from that and Powys Local Health Board isn’t currently looking to do anything with it.”

The board’s action plan for medical services in Powys, Doing More, Doing Better, has proposed an end to inpatient care at Bronllys Hospital, sparking fears it may close in the near future.

Julian Edwards, planning officer, in a report to committee members, said Brecknock Borough Council had resolved to approve the plan, with conditions to manage and control trees north of the site, leading to lengthy discussions.

He said this had caused a delay in issuing a formal decision, which had been lengthened by the change from Powys Health Care Trust to the current health board, decisions taken on other services, including the selling of the Mid-Wales Hospital at Talgarth, and other factors.

But he said developing the site into a hospital remained a policy, “with the provision of a new hospital building potentially resulting in the availability of a significant amount of buildings for other uses”.

He said officers “would recommend the committee concurs with the earlier resolution and approves the development”.

He said an agreement would be necessary to safeguard woodland on the site, and highways improvements should be considered.

By Mike Sivier