THE rebuilding of Ilkley's Coronation Hospital could finally begin within the next 12 months, health chiefs have announced.

Leaders of the Ilkley Coronation Hospital campaign group say they are delighted to have earned assurances from senior Airedale Primary Care Trust (PCT) representatives over the future of Ilkley hospital services.

And they believe work will begin on a replacement hospital building this financial year.

Campaign group leaders met with 'senior representatives' of the hospital-owning trust last week, to discuss progress on the re-provision of hospital services in Ilkley.

There had previously been fears that the trust's enthusiasm for building a new hospital for all the current services had waned since the end of the public consultation exercise last year.

Now campaigners again have had their hopes raised.

Campaign group head, parish councillor Mike Gibbons, said: "We were told that unless there was a very serious and unforseen last-minute hitch, then a rebuild should begin in the forthcoming financial year."

"I still remain somewhat cautious about leaping for joy, but I'm very much encouraged by what was said, and have faith in what the PCT are saying to us. It's foreseen that the new provision will accommodate the current levels of service provision and will also have the capacity to accommodate some necessary future developments."

Airedale PCT has confirmed to the Ilkley Gazette that subject to legal documentation and the contracts being finalised, building work is expected to start within the next 12 months.

Work is also progressing on planning the new building, said Councillor Gibbons.

"I was particularly heartened to hear of the background work the PCT had done in investigating and planning the new build since our last meeting," he said.

"I expressed to the PCT my ongoing concerns regarding the well being of the staff and they wholeheartedly appreciated that position. All in all, it was a very positive meeting. I understand that future discussions need to take place and the PCT need to make presentations to their board.

"It's envisaged in the not too distant future that they