Decision due on £27m Ludlow health scheme

This is how Ludlow's new £27 million hospital will look if planning permission is granted, it was revealed today.

Planning officers at Shropshire Council were today due to reveal whether they were approving the plans for the new hospital, which will include the town's two GP surgeries and a pharmacy.

The fresh images of what the new hospital will look like have been issued by county health chiefs. It is hoped the new hospital will open in 2014.

Project leaders and councillors are today waiting for news of the scheme and say it will a remarkable turnaround from 10 years ago when Ludlow faced losing its existing cottage hospital at Gravel Hill due to NHS reorganisation.

A statement issued by Shropshire healthcare officials leading the project said: "We believe this is an amazing opportunity at a time of general public austerity to secure approval for a building which will bring major benefits to very many people for years to come."