BUILDING work will start on Malvern’s new community hospital later this month after the Department of Health yesterday agreed the release of £17.7 milion for the project.

The decision was the final hurdle facing the proposals and the long-awaited facility is now on schedule to open at Seaford Court in autumn 2010.

Brian Hanford, director of finance at Worcestershire Primary Care Trust and Malvern Hospital project director, said: “Receiving the £17.7 million from the Department of Health really is the final hurdle and we are absolutely delighted with the news.

“We can now sign the contract with Interserve, our construction partner, and get moving on the next stage of the project – building the new hospital.

How the hospital may look:

“Building work is scheduled to start on the Seaford Court site later this month.

“The fact that we have reached this stage is testament to all the hard work and input by everyone involved in the project.”

West Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer said he could not be more delighted by the news.

He said: “This was the very last hurdle and I could not be more pleased. Given the financial climate we are in at the moment there had to be an element of doubt that this project would go ahead right up until the last minute.

“This is the best news I have had in my 35 years of representing Malvern in parliament. It is the climax of a lot of hard work by a lot of people. I am sure that the new hospital is going to be a tremendous facility for the town and one that will replace an already excellent service.”