A MINISTER has told Tunbridge Wells MP Archie Norman every effort will be made to keep a new district general hospital for Tunbridge Wells on schedule.

Mr Norman (Con) feared a two-week public inquiry into refusal of planning consent for an option to build at Knights Park might delay replacement of the Pembury and Kent and Sussex hospitals.

But Health Minister John Hutton told him: "Again let me assure you that every effort will be made by both the Department and the Strategic Health Authority to support the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust and ensure that the timetable for the new hospital will be met."

Mr Hutton also confirmed that the local trust had been asked to prepare a case based on the Knights Park option. The new hospital is due for completion within the next five years.

Mr Norman said: "It's some comfort that despite the confusion over planning, ministers are still committed to delivery. It's vital we keep the pressure on."

As the two-week public inquiry at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Pembury, drew to a close, there was little sign of the outcome.

The Kilmartin Property Group was appealing against Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's refusal of its plans for a new hospital at Knight's Park.

It claims it could build the hospital more cheaply and quickly, with better access and less impact on the Green Belt.

The NHS Trust already has outline permission for a new 595-bed hospital and 56-bed mental health unit on the existing Pembury Hospital site.

Planning inspector, Martin Pike, will report back to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and the inquiry's findings will be published later this year.

Bruce Cova, for Kilmartin, said: "It's been going so slowly that it's actually quite difficult to judge at any time where you are.

"I wouldn't want to play poker with the inspector because his face and reactions give absolutely nothing away at all."

David Prentis, the council's development control manager, said: "During the first week, witnesses on behalf of the council set out what we regard as our case and we feel we got that case across, which is essentially that the council is very keen to see a new hospital for the Tunbridge Wells area.

"And we identified what we see as the best place to build that hospital in Pembury."