A meeting is to be held with members of the public so plans for the use of surplus land and buildings on the site of Murray Royal Hospital in Perth can be discussed.
Some residents are concerned that land may be sold for housing but the health body and consultants Ryden have arranged a series of “community events” to inform the public of their proposals.
The first of these will take place in the Murray Royal Hospital hub on Tuesday December 10 from 7pm to 9pm.
The hospital was transformed into a £75 million state-of-the-art facility and opened by Alex Salmond in June.
NHS Tayside is now devising a plan for the vacated sites south of the new hospital, including the original B-listed building, and near Pitcullen House.
It is believed the health body applied in the Local Development Plan for 250 dwellings on the site and intends to submit a planning application next year.
NHS Tayside received a setback when the Scottish Government decided that two listed buildings Elcho and Birnam wards must stay at Murray Royal Hospital.
It is understood that a masterplan for planning permission in principle and associated listed building consent will be submitted next spring.
Graham Fleming, the chairman of Bridgend, Gannochy and Kinnoull Community Council, said: “As the disposal of this site has the potential to have a huge impact on the community, I would suggest it is very much in the best interests of local residents to attend if they possibly can.
“A lot of people are concerned that large houses may be built.”
An email sent to interested parties by Ryden, and seen by The Courier, states: “It is intended to engage with key community stakeholders and the local community generally throughout the master-planning process.
“The consultant team is currently surveying the site, analysing available information and meeting statutory consultees to understand the principle issues at the Murray Royal site. To inform this process, a series of community events on-site at the new hub building have been scheduled.
“The first of those events will take place on December 10. This will take the form of a consultation workshop event to introduce the project and consultant team, provide project background information to the local community, raise awareness of next steps and to seek feedback on headline issues.”
An NHS Tayside spokesperson said: “NHS Tayside has recently appointed a firm to act as ‘master planners’ to consult on and consider plans for the remaining site and buildings, including a request for additional green space within an agreed area to provide an additional amenity site for patients and visitors at the new hospital.
“The master planner will consider all aspects before formulating the master plan for the site and has already commenced consultation with NHS Tayside’s surplus land and buildings group and various stakeholders and interested parties, in accordance with planning requirements.”