An idea to build a replacement hospital on a corner of Pembroke Marsh, as suggested by an architect and former head of building control Nicky Gurret and reported in , had been previously considered by Bermuda Hospitals Board but discounted as unworkable.

The BHB has investigated the practicality of building at Pembroke Marsh and quickly decided against it because of environmental concerns and prohibitive construction costs.

Ms Gurret, who is a registered architect, has drawn up a site plan and a basic design elevation to give an idea of what might be possible at the Marsh Folly Road location. She presented a copy to Colin Campbell of design company OBM at a public meeting to discuss the $500 million new hospital plan, which currently favours building at the Botanical Gardens.

In a response King Edward VII Memorial Hospital spokeswoman Anna Lowry confirmed Pembroke Marsh had been considered as a possible site by the BHB before being discarded.

She explained: ?After further research, the environmental risk of building on Pembroke Marsh was seen too high for a healthcare facility, particularly an acute care hospital. And while technically possible to build over the marsh and landfill with piles, construction is prohibitively expensive and potentially problematic.?