MENTAL health care provision could return to the former site of one of Europe's largest psychiatric units.

Plans to develop a secure hospital on part of the old Winterton Hospital site, in Sedgefield, County Durham, went on display during a public consultation.

The scheme, by Care Principles, would see the former Sedgefield Community Hospital redeveloped into a specialist treatment centre.

It would house 64 adults with learning disabilities, personality disorders or autistic spectrum disorders.

Care Principles chief executive Paul Preston said the facility would cost between £10m and £15m to build and could boost the local economy by £7m a year.

He said: "The modern approach to mental health care would see quite a high ratio of members of staff.

"We are looking to recruit more than 200 people. This would range from consultant psychiatrists, mental health nurses, chefs, auxiliaries, and all sorts of people."

Mr Preston said the response to the plans during consultations in nearby Sedgefield and Fishburn had been largely positive.

He said: "I think what people have seen is there was a mental health facility years ago and they have seen what has happened when that facility was taken away."

The original 52-acre site was acquired in 1855.

At its height, the hospital covered 350 acres and accommodated as many as 3,000 people - residents, day patients and staff.

Since closing in 1997, parts of the site have been developed for housing and the NetPark technology centre.

The proposals are expected to be submitted to Sedgefield Borough Council next year.