If there is one thing that concerns Bermuda as a whole, and Devonshire South Central in particular, it is the development of the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

This week, as part of Up Your Street, Robyn Skinner met with area MP John Barritt and found questions lingering about the development project.

Last month construction began not on the new hospital but on a parking lot and electrical substation for the project.

They are being built on the corner of Point Finger and Berry Hill roads. The work required the downing of trees and the demolition of buildings adjacent to Gladwyn House on Point Finger Road.

Corriea Construction has been hired to complete these projects and signs on the area indicate they are doing so.

But the talk on the street, and questions Mr. Barritt has received from his constituents are: Was this contract tendered? Was there planning permission?

"I have heard back from the Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) and yes, I have been told that yes, it was tendered and acquired via BHB policy," he said.

"But people are concerned to know what's going on and how it will affect them. The next concern is if we are building a hospital that Bermuda can afford."

The BHB is teaming up with the private sector for the 25-year, $315 million upgrade which is promised to bring KEMH up to modern-day standards.

The first phase of construction is estimated to be completed in 2014.

The final designs for the hospital may not be released until this fall, once the BHB has chosen one of the three consortiums that bid for the project.

Last year Government tabled a Special Planning Provision Bill in the House of Assembly to encourage the development of the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (Special Planning Provision) Act 2009.

The project was described by Health Minister Walter Roban as a "national priority".

The bill states that planning approval, in principle, will relate to: layout, situation and setback; site coverage; the height of buildings up to a maximum of 215ft above mean sea level; design and external appearance of buildings; traffic access and parking; pedestrian access; and landscaping.

Permission is granted subject to certain conditions such as surveys, statements and reports.

Yesterday Mr. Barritt said the height of the building has caused some concern with his constituents.

He added: "When they choose the final bid people will see what's going to happen and that is when I am going to be the busiest. They are allowed to go up a fair bit, but then if you build up then you're not going out.

"I think the BHB has done a good job on providing information. They have had regular meetings to keep residents up-to-date. They committed to continue doing that and I think that's the way to go."

Mr. Barritt said he was also very concerned about the cost of health care, health insurance and the treatment of seniors on the Island.

The Devonshire MP is active in supporting the seniors residing in Purvis Park an independent living community.

Mr. Barritt said more centres like this needed to be added to help ensure the increasing demographic of seniors has somewhere to live.

He added: "When you add the cost of our health care and health insurance, this is just one of the many issues in health care. People are living longer."

And on the Purvis Park development he said: "Given our demographic this meets a great need for that sort of development. We are going to see more of seniors who are independent and capable."