REGENERATION of the former Corus steelworks at Ebbw Vale is taking far too long, and people should not have to wait until 2009 for the new hospital planned for part of the site, says Blaenau Gwent MP Peter Law.

The county borough council will debate plans later this week for the reclamation of more than 50 acres of the Corus complex, an area known as the Westgate site, part of which is earmarked for a £35m hospital.

But Mr Law, the area's independent MP, believes redevelopment is far too slow.

Since the steelworks closed in 2002, Corus has largely completed a programme of demolition, removing above-ground structures and major equipment inside basements and tunnels.

On Thursday, the council's planning committee will consider plans submitted by its own officers, designed to make the Westgate area fit for development.

Work will begin in January and take 40 weeks to complete, putting the likely finishing date as October 2006. This time last year, October 2006 was mentioned in a Gwent Healthcare Trust report as the estimated completion date for the hospital on the Westgate site. This has now been put back until 2009.

"This hospital is needed now. I understand the site needs to be cleared, but that should be finished," said Mr Law.

"We shouldn't still be thinking about clearing the ground. The redevelopment of the site filled everyone with excitement, but it is turning out to be a big disappointment."

No-one at the council wished to comment. The council's plans involve clearing and landscaping the ground. Large areas of reinforced concrete slabs from demolished buildings, and buried foundations from former coke ovens will be removed, making the ground suitable for development.

Existing mineshafts will be capped and tunnels and basements filled in. The site is also contaminated by hydrocarbons, which must be removed as they could pose a risk to water supplies and site users.