A BLUEPRINT designed to drag one of Swansea's oldest hospitals into the 21st Century has been unveiled.

Health bosses are looking to redevelop Cefn Coed Hospital.

The city's psychiatric hospital was built in 1929, and is in need of a major revamp.

The public are being given a chance to have their say on the plans.

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust wants to create an 18-bed rehabilitation unit, along with two small step-down units for patients who are soon to be discharged.

Older, disused wards will be pulled down to make way for the development, and a section of land is currently being cleared.

The outline scheme forms part of a greener vision for the hospital, including a scheme to build an innovative energy centre at the edge of the site.

Biofuel and a wind turbine are also being considered as options for the centre.

If the plan is given the green light, the units will be clad in cedar panels to help blend in with surrounding woodland.

A spokesman for Swansea Council said the public had from now until Wednesday, February 4, to comment on the outline plans.

Trust chiefs have said the proposal is in line with Assembly Government guidelines for new health centre buildings, which need to achieve an "excellent" rating measured against the British Research Establishment's Environmental and Sustainability standards.

A series of measures, designed to cut the carbon footprint of the development, need to be hit for the rating to be achieved.

The energy centre is part of a wider plan being considered by Swansea Council, including a modern replacement for long-stay patients at Cefn Coed.

Lindsey Jones, assistant director of planning (capital), has previously said: "It is planned to move away from the more traditional use of fossil fuels to an energy centre, producing all of the site's energy requirements with a low carbon footprint.

"The wind turbine will contribute approximately 10 per cent of the electrical energy for the site, and all the other innovative designs will be sustainable, so it will be much better for the environment.

"It is the way forward for energy production.

"It is very positive that public buildings such as hospitals are helping to lead the way."