THE latest designs for the New QE2 Hospital in Welwyn Garden City have gone on show – and received public support.

A local general hospital will take the place of the current QE2 when major services are all relocated to the Lister in Stevenage.

And an exhibition of what the site in Ascots Lane, WGC, will look like come that time, in 2014, was held at Campus West on Friday by NHS Hertfordshire and developers Assemble Community Partnership.

It attracted a steady stream of visitors throughout the day – stakeholders in the morning and the general public in the afternoon – and Sophie Emerson, Assemble development manager, said it had been a worthwhile event.

Saying they had received “very positive feedback” overall, she acknowledged the concerns of Welwyn Hatfield residents.

She said: “Lots of people remember the existing hospital being built and they’re sad it’s not going to be there any more.

“I can understand that – it’s been up for 50 or so years.

“Change is difficult for people and it’s hard, because it’s a big change.”

Ms Emerson said concerns addressed during the day included the loss of major services, including acute beds, to the Lister, and parking on site.

“We’re trying to explain to people the majority of services you go to the QE2 for now you still will, just in a new hospital,” she added.

The display gave information about materials to be used in the development, as well as plans for an internal courtyard.

The next stage is to to submit a full business case to the borough council. This is expected to be ready by the spring.