A SPECIALLY formed panel at West Somerset Council has decided to confirm the listing of the Old Minehead Hospital as an asset of community value following an appeal.

The Grade II building in The Avenue was added to the council’s community asset register in December after being nominated by Minehead Development Trust(MDT), which hopes to turn it into a ‘cultural hub’.

Owners NHS Somerset appealed against the listing, which stops the property being put on the open market for six months, during which time a community group can prepare a bid to buy it.

The council’s corporate director, Bruce Lang, along with scrutiny committee members Keith Ross, Paul Grierson and Bruce Heywood, confirmed the listing at a private hearing last Thursday.

NHS Property Services, set up to take over NHS assets previously run by Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities abolished through health reforms on April 1, has 28 days to appeal that decision.

MDT chairman Jenny Lennon-Wood said: “I am delighted. The only slight drawback is thatthis has all been a distraction from the energies we are putting into trying to put our bid together. We have had to work on both aspects of it.

“We still believe this is an asset of community value covered by the legislation, so we will continue to try to demonstrate thatif there is an appeal but we hope there will not be one.

“We are continuing with our efforts to getthe bid together and this doesn’t stop us – we are working very hard on the bid and will continue to do so. MDT’s bid includes plans to develop a cafe, library and museum in the building as detailed on www.mineheaddevelopmenttrust.co.uk, and must be submitted by August 19.

A spokesperson for NHS Property Services said: “We have been working with NHS Somerset on the transfer of the old Minehead Hospital to NHS Property Services and we are fully aware of the situation locally.

“NHS Somerset was clear about its responsibility to secure the best return for both the local health service and the taxpayer, and we support this position.

“We will be working closely with the local NHS and the local community to discuss the next steps.”