THE auction of land near to Launceston Hospital has been halted thanks to Cornwall Council, the Post understands.

Auctioneers Allsop had been offering 0.417 acres of land north of the Link Road, just below Kernow House nursing home at a guide price of £80,000 to £90,000 with the suggestion that the site has ‘possible residential development potential, subject to obtaining all necessary consents’.

The sale was instructed by NHS Property Services Ltd, and was due to take place on October 26.

But there was public outcry, saying that as a covenant applies to the land, no residential development should take place there, and that any future development should be restricted to medical uses.

The site is currently listed on the Government’s Register of Surplus Public Sector Land to give other public bodies the opportunity to acquire it at the market value before it is sold on the open market.

Liberal Democrat Cornwall Councillor for Launceston South Jade Farrington said on Thursday evening that Cornwall Council has registered an interest in the land and succeeded in getting the site withdrawn from the auction 'so that discussions regarding potential uses can occur'.

Cllr Farrington said: "The land is expected to sell for around £100,000 so if anyone has any thoughts on potential economical uses please let me know and I will feed them in to the process."