Ilkley’s Coronation Hospital could return to the hands of the hospital trust which suggested its closure almost a decade ago.

Talks are under way between primary care trust (PCT) heads and local service providers about the transfer of community healthcare properties, it has been revealed.

The cottage hospital’s former owner, Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, has confirmed it is in discussions about future arrangements for the hospital.

The closure of Coronation Hospital was mooted by Airedale NHS Trust, which also runs Airedale General Hospital, amid financial difficulties in May 2002.

The building was taken over by Airedale PCT – later NHS Bradford and Airedale. The PCT has since held two public consultations and recently revealed plans to build a £3.3million community hospital for Ilkley.

Ward councillor and chairman of Bradford Council’s Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Mike Gibbons, is now seeking a meeting with the chairman of NHS Airedale, Bradford and Leeds, the newly-organised “cluster” of PCTs.

A spokesman for NHS Airedale, Bradford and Leeds said: “Arrangements for the ownership and management of community sites such as Coronation Hospital are the subject of recent Department of Health guidance to primary care trusts.

“While it is clear from the guidance that primary care trusts must transfer the vast majority of their current estate to those NHS organisations who use them the most, discussions are still under way with local service providers about how best to effect those transfers. The outcome of these discussions will determine any future negotiations about Coronation Hospital.”