SOMERSET Council has confirmed that repair and maintenance works will be carried out on the former Bridgwater Hospital site.

The Grade II listed building, which has lain empty since the new Community Hospital was built in 2014, is being turned into a state-of-the-art Somerset Academy for Health and Social Care. 

Contractors have been appointed to remove debris caused by recent trespass activity at the site on Salmon Parade.

They have also been tasked with making safe loose materials which were in danger of falling outside of the site boundaries, which could pose a risk to the public.

Next steps include the removal and shore-up of deteriorated elements of the buildings, before any cases of asbestos and other hazardous materials are removed.

None of the main or Listed buildings are being removed and altered at this time.

Necessary planning permissions still need to be obtained for the project, which is still in its design work phase.