NEWTON Abbot MP Martin Wrigley said he was ‘extremely disappointed’ the new health centre will not now go ahead, particularly for Channel View GP surgery which is desperately in need of new premises. 

Speaking to the MDA shortly after the announcement, he said: ‘We need to find an immediate solution or the surgery will find itself homeless.

‘Then we have to look at the longer term solution to primary care in Teignmouth properly but bring the whole town with us.’

Mr Wrigley, previously a county councillor who sat on the health and adult scrutiny committee, said: ‘I would like to see a solution that includes Teignmouth Hospital.

‘There are many possibilities but whatever we chose, it has to be something everybody can get behind.’

County, district and town councillor David Cox, a big supporter of retaining Teignmouth Hospital, said the community now needs to work together to sort out the health needs of the town. 

He said: ‘We still need to deal with the surgery’s requirements as its lease is due to run out.

‘Teignmouth has an amazing community and if we work together, we can find a solution.’

He suggested a less ambitious building, of two floors with parking, could still be put on the site as a new home for the surgery. 

Ardent supporter of Teignmouth Hospital Viv Wilson said: ‘I think the initial plan of the five storey building was ill-conceived. It was much too large for the site.

‘Had they set out with something more modest, I truly believe they could have had it up there and built by now.

‘It could have been operating as a GP surgery practise perfectly happily but someone has overreached the ideas, made a grand plan which was just not suitable for the position in our small town and the narrow roads that surround the site.

‘Whatever the outcome I still strongly believe that Teignmouth hospital could have and should have been refurbished and retained.’

Campaigners staged a dedicated battle to keep Teignmouth Hospital open over the last four years.

They insisted there was a need for the hospital, the first NHS hospital built in the country.