Residents rocked by the collapse of plans for a promised new health centre are demanding a public meeting but it is being resisted.

Torbay and South Devon Clinical Commissioning Group and Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust promised to provide heath facilities in Dartmouth before the hospital closed.

Former mayor Richard Rendle called for a single-item agenda town council meeting to hold the CCG and the NHS trust to account for what he claimed was a broken promise.

The wrangle has been closely followed by county and district councillor Jonathan Hawkins who has tried to arrange a public meeting.

However, mayor Richard Cooke opposed holding a single-item agenda council meeting and told Cllr Hawkins he would not call a public meeting nor attend one. Instead, he arranged a private meeting with Dr Paul Johnson, chairman of the CCG to discuss the closure of both the Hospital and River View, so he could report back to the next town council meeting.

However, the idea of holding a public meeting has been backed by MP Sarah Wollaston, who is chairman of the House of Commons Health Select Committee.

She has said suggested it should be arranged by the NHS trust.

She told the Chronicle: “I have already spoken to Liz Davenport, acting chief executive of Torbay NHS Trust, to request that a public meeting be held and I understand that she is trying to arrange for this to go ahead.

“I have also asked for and received assurances that the finances will remain available should the current owners of River View decide to accept the offer that was previously made by the trust for a lease or purchase.

“This would remain the quickest way to put all services under one roof but, failing that, we need to see what is now going to be done to make alternative arrangements and for the local community to be involved in those plans.

“An open meeting is also needed to update the community on how it is supporting local people who need support in their own homes, as well as those who need palliative care, nursing or intermediate care.”

Ms Davenport, in a letter to the Chronicle, said that, as a first step, she wants to bring together partners and commissioners to make sure all options for providing the Dartmouth Health and Wellbeing Centre are considered. She adds that the trust is planning to open up these discussions to the wider local community in May.

Cllr Hawkins said: “I’ve heard from our MP who is in favour of a meeting and will hopefully be with us.

“We need this meeting now, not at some point in the future that suits the trust.

“In discussion with Nick Hindmarsh, manager at Dartmouth Caring, we have been seeking a venue. [Dartmouth vicar] Will Hazelwood has offered to hold the meting at St Saviour’s Church, which can hold 400 people, so that no one need feel left out if they wish to attend.

“The trust needs to address the concerns of all of us on what the plan B is to be now that River View has collapsed. We have all heard the promises and the aspirations but we need to see concrete proof of our new health and wellbeing centre.

“There are a number of possible sites, including West Dart, but we are fed up with promises, we want action. It was a huge mistake to enter negotiations after they closed the hospital and the trust promised it would not do this.”

He added: “It is time the trust stopped being cocooned and heard how annoyed and upset we are at these broken promises

“We have sent two dates to both Dr Wollaston and Liz Davenport – Friday, 20 and Friday, April 27 – and the latter date looks most likely, with the trust putting on a display to tell the community what it has been doing. This would be followed by a public meeting. As soon as one date and time is confirmed, it will be announced.”

Mr Rendle said: “I have done work on the reasoning for closing the hospital and there are a number of real, worrying issues, such as attracting both qualified nursing staff and doctors.

“The main reason for the closure is economics. The NHS wishes to discharge its responsibilities and expenses for providing duties such as catering, cleaning, laundry, building maintenance, pensions and other associated costs.

“I would be happy to share other findings but I am convinced that the NHS is making a huge mistake and a far more acceptable service could be achieved through reasoned debate with the local community.”