STREAMLINED plans for Hawkhurst Cottage Hospital have finally been given the g0-ahead by health chiefs and its supporters. After considerable consultation and debate between staff, the hospital's League of Friends and health authorities, a new £1 million blueprint for the hospital has been decided and financial wranglings have been straightened out.

Provided the plans are approved by Tunbridge Wells council, work should begin next June - with completion scheduled for Christmas next year. The future of the hospital has been overshadowed by delay and disruption to vital redevelopment for many years.

The League of Friends has now promised £700,000 - but only on the understanding that the Invicta Community Care NHS Trust contributes £350,000 and an extra £60,000 is found from central NHS funds.

The league will also only hand over the cash on the proviso that if the hospital is sold or shut down in the future, the donated funds will be returned.

The hospital, in Hawkhurst High Street, currently has 15 beds. Under the new plans, 10 extra beds will be created in the current day centre building. The beds will be used for intermediate care for elderly people who do not need to be in acute hospital wards but are either waiting to go home or into care. A new day centre will be built once the new unit is open.

Bill Millar, chief executive of the Kent Weald Primary Care Group, said that due to the current bed-blocking crisis, the new unit would be particularly important.

"This unit will be crucial," he said. "We are building extra capacity to improve the flow of patients through the hospital and back into the community. The project as a whole has been reviewed and we have full support from everyone involved."

He added: "We can't under-estimate the league's generosity. We are so pleased with the new plan - it's full steam ahead."