Napier Hospital sale blocked

A legal showdown over the disused Napier Hospital may be just weeks away, with the Napier City Council and the site's new owners sticking to their guns.

After Health Minister Annette King intervened in September, the former hospital site was transferred out of the health board's hands.

It is now owned by the Residual Health Management Unit, a Government agency that buys and sells health property.

However, the sale is blocked by two caveats - one issued by the District Land Registrar in 1994 and another by the Napier City Council in 1997.

The Land Registrar is believed to have written to the council asking for consent to lift its caveat.

If there is no response within 14 days the council's caveat will lapse.