MINEHEAD Town Council looks set to make a U-turn over the future of the Old Hospital as a community hub.

Minehead Development Trust’s bid for £100,000 funding to help transform the derelict building will now get support – but only if a lease and business plan are in place by the council’s May meeting.

There was pressure to deal with the matter at Tuesday’s council meeting, with some councillors making accusations of ‘delaying tactics’.

But mayor Cllr Jean Parbrook said: “If by then they are ready with all the documents in place, I will put forward a recommendation for support.”

Controversy has surrounded the project since February when councillors refused to back the trust’s application to West Somerset Council’s planning obligations board (POB) for £100,000 of Section 106 grant money to finance phase one of the transformation plan.

Councillors had rejected approval by eight votes to six on the grounds that there was no lease or adequate business plan and the council could end up “propping up the project”.

This week’s turnaround came after trust acting chairman Ray Tew told councillors it was taking steps which should address the council’s concerns.

Full report in today’s Free Press (April 22)