A PROPOSED Hampshire hospital whose future is in doubt has been approved by planners.

The planning application for the new hospital between Winchester and Basingstoke has been conditionally backed by councillors on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

The future of the £150 million critical treatment hospital and cancer support centre near junction 7 of the M3 was thrown into doubt last month when clinical commissioning groups revealed a £60 million funding gap.

Today Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust welcomed the support from the council yesterday.

Mary Edwards, chief executive, said: “We are very pleased to receive conditional planning approval to build a critical treatment hospital and cancer treatment centre which will enable us to improve the services we offer to the local community.

"This decision provides further evidence that our proposal to build on the site near junction 7 of the M3 is viable, ahead of any public consultation. This is an important next step."

Mrs Edwards added: "Our proposal to centralise services for the sickest and most at risk in a critical treatment hospital at this location will mean we have a sustainable and affordable way to provide even better services for our sickest patients, as well as allowing us to develop services in our local hospitals in Andover, Basingstoke and Winchester to meet the needs of our expanding population.”