MINEHEAD Old Hospital's owners have reaffirmed their commitment to delivering a community hub in the iconic building.

The project faced a major setback a fortnight ago when negotiations between owners Minehead Old Town Hall Investments (MOTHI) and Minehead Development Trust collapsed over the proposed business plan for the building.

However MOTHI's Bill Howard has assured The Gazette that he is busy working to keep things moving forward with the project.

"Following a very positive and supportive meeting on Monday with West Somerset Council officers and Cllr Karen Mills we are now collectively looking for the most appropriate way forward, to make this all happen," Mr Howard said.

"There will be challenges for sure, but we do believe the end result will be well worth the effort for everyone."

The planning application for the Old Hospital is now in its advanced stage, and Mr Howard praised the planning and listed building department at West Somerset District Council for its help with the process.

"The vision continues, as before, to create a totally flexible multi-purpose hub catering for as wide a range of community functions and activities as possible," Mr Howard added.

MOTHI is appealing for organisations from the local community to get involved and help drive the project forward.

Mr Howard said MOTHI has established a realistic overall budget of approximately £2.1 million, which should be sufficient to convert and restore the site to full community use, with the project being divided into six main phases.

MOTHI purchased the Old Hospital for £350,000 in March last year and hope the main building, which dates from 1888 and was designed by one of Minehead’s most foremost Victorian architects, James Piers St Aubyn, can be returned to its heyday as assembly rooms.

The building, which was owned by the NHS, was closed in 2011 after it was replaced with a new community hospital on Seaward Way.