A council has emerged as a potential saviour in Bicester’s fight for a new hospital — by offering to build one.

Cherwell’s District Council’s executive committee has agreed to submit a proposal to Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust to build at least a 12-bed hospital on land known as the south west option, between Middleton Stoney and Oxford roads — then lease it back to the health authority.

Seven acres of land at the south west site — the rest has been earmarked for 1,500 new homes — has been signed over to the council and outline planning permission for a health village has already been granted.

The move has been welcomed by protestors, who claimed the district council’s support was crucial in the fight to get a new community hospital.

Earlier this month the PCT announced it had placed an advert in specialist magazines seeking expressions of interest to build a primary care centre — a hospital without beds.

Alongside the care centre, 12 beds would then be purchased across Bicester in care homes, in line with new policy.

Les Sibley, who is heading a Best for Bicester campaign, plans to launch a petition in Sheep Street on Saturday, February 28, calling on the PCT to re-think its proposal and give Bicester a new hospital.

Town and district councillor Mr Sibley said: “It is crucial the campaign to get a new hospital has received full support from Cherwell.

“We are pushing for a new community hospital with inpatient beds.

“The land on the south west allows us to achieve this, but there is also an opportunity to have a care home and later expand the site.

“The PCT says it is going to listen to the people of Bicester, but at the moment I think it is misleading them.

“We are launching a petition and urge residents to come along and sign it and make their voice heard.

“Now it is more important than ever that the voice of the people of Bicester is heard and we need to make it loud and clear.”

George Reynolds, the district council’s executive member for community, health and environment, said: “A new Bicester hospital is a key piece of the infrastructure jigsaw of the town.

“Meeting the current and future health needs of the growing population, in terms of age and numbers, is critical.

“The district council recognises this fact and is willing and able to play its part supporting the PCT in providing the best quality and widest range of healthcare services.

“The council believes the land allocated for this purpose at south west Bicester is the best location to offer scope to develop now and over time a wide range of health care services."

bicester@oxfordmail.co.uk