HEALTH chiefs were today due to lock horns with the district's MP and council over the future of Kidderminster Hospital.

Battle was due to commence this morning at the second day of the inquiry into Wyre Forest's Local Plan, which will shape the way the district develops over the next decade.

The council has allocated the entire hospital site "for health care needs only" prompting an objection from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which claims that doing so will restrict its future options.

The trust wants to retain the right to do what it wants with parts of the site, particularly land which will be deemed surplus in future years.

But today Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor was due to argue in favour of the council.

Dr Taylor said his statement to the inquiry was based on his belief hospital services throughout the county are not adequate and there must be developments at the Kidderminster Hospital site to meet shortfalls.

"We have to retain the buildings and grounds for the development that will have to be necessary. We do not want to be left with the trust having the option to do what they will with the site.

"If we give over our birthright to a quango, what hope is there?"

He added: "The power of decision making over this site should be left in the hands of local people."

The inquiry opened on Tuesday, when Noel Hodstock, forward planning officer for Wyre Forest District Council, outlined the council's overall strategy.

He said the overriding aim was to seek sustainable patterns of development, including concentrating housing and employment in Kidderminster and Stourport and encouraging retail, commercial, leisure and office use in Kidderminster and, less so, in Stourport.

The council also wants to support alternatives to car travel, limit rural housing to local needs, and conserve the district's environmental assets.

A total of 483 objections to the specifics of the Local Plan have been submitted in writing and some will be examined in detail by the Government-appointed inspector during the inquiry, due to end on December 12.

Objectors include housing developers and interest groups. The inquiry, taking place at Stourport Civic Centre, is open to the public.

The inspector's findings are due in June next year, with the final draft of the plan to be adopted next December.