A WEEK of consultation over the future of a Sunderland hospital has brought a vision likely to meet royal approval.

Talks about Cherry Knowle Hospital in Ryhope have involved everyone from householders, traffic engineers, councillors, shopkeepers and health professionals.

In seeking an improved mental health facility, the group now believes it has come up with a revolutionary idea.

The team believe Cherry Knowle can be better than a hospital - more a neighbourhood in which both residential places and clinical facilities for mental health would be included.

Design ideas have already been put forward for a community equipped with sports facilities, such as a gym or swimming pool, park, shops and restaurants - all for use both by service users and the local community.

Alan Hall, chief executive of South of Tyne and Wearside Mental Health Trust, said: "This concept of weaving mental health provision into the fabric of a mixed use neighbourhood has the potential to revolutionise our concept of mental health provision. Not only could it become an important exemplar here, but could also inform best practice with the NHS and even within the wider international community.''

The consultation exercise is an example of Enquiry by Design, a pioneering process developed by the Prince of Wales and organised by the Prince's Foundation.

Jason Syers, for the foundation, said the Prince of Wales believed passionately that the quality of patients' environment profoundly affected their recovery and the new vision for Cherry Knowle accorded with his beliefs.