MONMOUTH'S former hospital, built over a century ago, is to be the site of large scale residential development, The Beacon can exclusively reveal. The old hospital, in Hereford Road, opened its doors to patients for the last time in the summer, when the new £6m hospital and health facility was opened at Drybridge Park (writes Robert Williams). Since then there has been speculation as to who had acquired, or was about to acquire, the site, with the Haberdashers Girls School, whose premises adjoin the hospital site, being most frequently mentioned. However, the school, has always denied any interest in the site, whcih comprises an area of 1.72 acres and was built in 1903. In addition to the old hospital site, the former health centre in Dixton Road was also put on the market. Following the closure of the old hospital, the two sites were put on the market by international real estate agents, DTZ of Cardiff. They said late last year the sites offered opportunities for either refurbishment or redevelopment. Campaigners had fought to retain the hospital site for use by the people of the town, but Health Trust spokesmen said the former hospital and clinic buildings were considered unsuitable for adaptation to meet current standards. Tenders for the two sites closed in July and, from the outset, DTZ have received keen interest from a variety of parties. On Monday, Mr Gareth Carter, a Director of DTZ., told The Beacon "We are just about to exchange contracts. Christmas rather interfered with things, but I hope the contracts will be exchanged within a week". He again said the prospective purchasers of the two sites wished to remain anonymous, certainly for the time being, but said the sale was not subject to any planning consent being obtained. Mr Carter also revealed that the new owners were looking to a residential use for both sites. It is likely that planning consents will be sought from county planners later this year, with manpeople closely monitoring what use is going to be found for one of the town's best loved sites. Originally, it was thought it might become a hotel or private nursing home, but now it is clear the site is to have a residential use, to the disappointment of many people.