Bicester's new £5m community hospital could be delayed by months if the Government decides to investigate the planning application further.

It was hoped the hospital would open in 2004.

Cherwell district councillors have approved plans to build the hospital on eight acres of greenfield land between Oxford Road and Middleton Stoney Road, Bicester, and Chesterton.

As the application is contrary to an existing plan, Cherwell will have to inform the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

Cherwell's south area planning officer, Bob Duxbury said: "It is up to the department to decide whether or not to call in the plan."

Planning consultant, John Ashton, of West Waddy Associated Design Partnership, said: "We hope to hear if the plan is called in within four to five weeks. If we are told it is not to be called in we can complete talks with the landowners to purchase the site at Whitelands Farm, Chesterton. As the Government wants to build hospitals, we hope notification will be a formality and the plan will not be called in."

Chesterton parish council chairman, David Chapman criticised the decision to breach the plan.

Cllr Chapman said: "We are not against Bicester having a new hospital but councillors have again gone against their local plan by giving it approval. There are other sites available.

"I think people have been misled into thinking it will be an all singing and all dancing hospital to handle all their health needs.

"It will be just like the existing hospital. There will be no doctor there permanently. Local GPs will only call to see their patients."

Cllr Chapman said anyone needing emergency treatment would still have to travel to the Horton Hospital, Banbury, or the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford.