MEMBERS of Bridgwater Civic Society say they are “delighted” plans have been scrapped for razor wire fencing around the town's old hospital.

A planning application was submitted to Sedgemoor District Council for a 2.4-metre high iron railing fence, topped with razor wire, around the periphery of the hospital site in Salmon Parade.

But Jennifer Hartley-Bond, NHS Property Services' head of communications for the South-West, has now confirmed the proposal will not be taken any further.

She said: “The plans for the razor wire fencing around the hospital were always under consideration as an option and we had not planned to definitely go ahead with it.”

Philip Smeed, of Bridgwater Civic Society, had suggested the hospital would look like “prisoner of war camps of old” with razor wire fencing.

After hearing that it will not be put up, he said: “I'm delighted that it won't be in place but it's still disappointing that they haven't found any use for the building. The grass near the building has not been cut and it looks a mess.

“There is still work to be done but the decision to use the fencing shows that they are going in the right direction.”

The building and surrounding land has been left unused since the Bridgwater Community Hospital moved to its new location on Bower Lane in April this year.