A PUBLIC inquiry into alternative plans for a new multi-million pound district general in Tunbridge Wells is due to open at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel in Pembury tomorrow.

The inquiry, headed by Martin Pike, an inspector appointed by the Secretary of State, will last until July 23, meeting on most days over the next three weeks, except Mondays.

It will look into outline proposals by the Kilmartin Property Group for a new district general hospital, mental health unit, staff accommodation, car parking and roads to replace facilities at both Pembury Hospital and the Kent and Sussex Hospital, Tunbridge Wells.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust has already won planning approval for its own proposals to create a £282 million, 595-bed hospital with a 56-bed mental health unit on the site of the present Pembury Hospital.

But Kilmartin's alternative scheme, using land at Knights Park, Tunbridge Wells, has failed to find favour with the borough council which says the site lies within the town's protected Rural Fringet.

In May, Kilmartin confirmed it was seeking a judicial review over the way in which Tunbridge Wells Borough Council had handled its original application and amended plans which followed.

It is challenging the council's decision and decision-making progress on 11 separate grounds.