LYDNEY Town Councillors have hit back over the location of any new hospital that may be built in the Forest of Dean area in the future.

Last month Cinderford mayor Max Coborn suggested that a new hospital should be included as part of the Northern Quarter regeneration project.

Councillor Brian Pearman said: “There have been calls for a new hospital to be built within the old hundred of St Briavels in order to preserve the birthright of someone to become a freeminer, but to decide on an important healthcare issue such as this is not using the information on predicted growth of the area properly.

“It would be irresponsible to base a decision on building a new hospital in the Northern Quarter without taking this situation into account.”

“I suggest that the main medical hub in the Forest of Dean needs to be based near the main road links, which is where Lydney is well placed.”

Another councillor Alan Preest agreed and said: “Just because an ancient birthright stipulates that someone needs to be born in the old Hundred of St Briavels, it shouldn’t dictate where a new hospital should be built.

“We need to think of a compromise that will work for the Forest as a whole.”