A motion has been submitted for Thursday evening's North Tyneside Council meeting calling on Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to withdrawn their proposals.

The trust has drawn up plans to build a new £75m hospital at Cramlington, which will deal solely with emergency cases.

As well, they are also proposing major investment at North Tyneside and Wansbeck general hospitals.

A consultation period is due to end on July 27.

But Conservative councillors are concerned at the potential downgrading of North Tyneside Hospital.

Councillors Frank Austin, Jonjo Macnamara, Michael McIntyre, Pam McIntyre and George Westwater have all signed the motion, which will be discussed at the meeting.

The motion is calling for the plans to be withdrawn, the trust to consult with Mayor Linda Arkley, and for the proposals to be implemented on the existing hospital in Rake Lane.

A spokesperson for the trust said: "We're disappointed that a small number of councillors have expressed these concerns.

"There has been very wide consultation on these proposals since the beginning of this year, following the launch of the plans in July 2007.

"We were invited to discuss the proposals by North Tyneside Council and we met on Monday. This followed a meeting with members of the council earlier this year and these issues weren't raised at either meeting.

"We do, though, want to hear all views and the public consultation being run by NHS North of Tyne continues until July 27.

"These proposals include a huge investment in North Tyneside General Hospital that will protect and enhance the services it provides for local residents.

"This includes major improvements to the wards, providing more space and private facilities and it will still have its specialists working there.

"North Tyneside will retain its ability to treat the majority of patients who currently attend A&E, which are the people with less serious illness and injury.

"Therefore we will continue to provide an improved service for the majority of people living locally.

"National professionals, such as Sir George Alberti, and local GPs support the proposals because they recognise the whole package will improve all services for local residents.

"We're very happy to discuss the plans in detail with councillors again if they wish."