Plans for a new multi-million pound health village at Eye went on view this week at the town hall. NHS Suffolk held the exhibition on Tuesday so residents could give their views on the proposed regeneration of the Hartismere Hosptial site, in the town, and find out more about the project.

Plans for a new multi-million pound health village at Eye went on view this week at the town hall.

NHS Suffolk held the exhibition on Tuesday so residents could give their views on the proposed regeneration of the Hartismere Hosptial site, in the town, and find out more about the project.

Under the proposals, £6 million would be invested in health facilities alone, the development brief also including 'very sheltered' accommodation, new housing, and a 60-bed private residential nursing home.

“What we are seeing here is a vision of not what it will necessarily look like, but what it could look like,” said Martin Royal, director of business development and external relationships, at NHS Suffolk - the county's primary care trust.

“People are asking things, not so much about health care, it's been more about planning issues which has been quite helpful.”

The proposals include facilities for GPs, mental health and children's services, complementary medicine therapists, as well as a new birthing unit and a diagnostics department.

Mr Royal added: “The next step is to get the business case agreed by NHS Suffolk on December 23. The East of England Strategic Health Authority then have to approve it, and then I am going out to the market place with a view to securing a development partner.”

Campaigners waged a hard fought campaign to retain health facilities at the hospital site, and Elizabeth Gibson-Harries, chairman of the local liaison committee, welcomed the initiative.

“We are delighted we have got this far,” she said.