Cheshire East councillors have given the go-ahead for a new Leighton Hospital in South Cheshire which will “secure the future of healthcare provision for decades to come”, writes Belinda Ryan.
The strategic planning board was unanimous today (June 9th) in approving the outline application for a new six-storey hospital, ancillary buildings, multi-storey car park, access points, parking and associated infrastructure on land next to the existing site at Leighton off Middlewich Road.
The application was in outline which means the design and majority of other details will be considered at a later date.
Sarah Wozencroft, planning director at WSP, representing Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, told councillors: “This application is about delivering a new world-class hospital and supporting facilities at Leighton by 2032.”
She said it is underpinned by a national government-led program transforming the way healthcare infrastructure is delivered for the NHS, benefiting patients and staff longer term.
Leighton Hospital, built in the 1970s, has been significantly affected by RAAC.
Ms Wozencroft said although extensive mitigation measures are in place, it has a limited lifespan and “the need for replacement facilities is therefore both clear and compelling”.
“The design of the proposal, including scale, massing, and siting of buildings, their relationship to the surrounding area will be refined as reserve matters progress,” she said.
“Only once the new hospital has been built and services have been fully decanted, can demolition of the current site commence in earnest post 2032.”
Nick Hawsley, speaking for residents who live close to the site, told the meeting: “The application before you now proposes the tallest occupied building in Cheshire at 40m high.”
He said it would be taller than Rail House.
Planning officer Adrian Crowther said he couldn’t confirm this as he didn’t know the height of Rail House.
“The visual impact will be wholly overpowering and inappropriate,” said Mr Hawsley.
Head of planning David Malcolm later said: “Would we choose this site for a six-storey building? Probably not.
“But things are moving forward, and we have to accept the much bigger benefits that this proposal provides.”
Concerns were raised by councillors about the parking.
Leighton Hospital currently has 2,380 parking spaces and the same level is proposed for the new hospital.
Mr Crowther admitted: “There will be challenging periods during the development when those spaces will be under stress, and we may need to look at other solutions.”
Wybunbury Cllr Janet Clowes, who proposed the application be approved, said: “We need a new hospital.
“It (Leighton) was a building that was never meant to last for more than about 30 years.
“So, the residents of Crewe and the wider catchment area have a right to expect a better environment when they go to hospital than they have although, that being said, our health authorities have provided an excellent service in a very difficult construction.”
Cllr Clowes said she was not overly concerned about it being in open countryside “because actually it’s not in open countryside really anymore, all the sites around it are being developed for housing”.
She added: “We need to a new hospital. This is what’s on the plate, we’re not going to get another offer.”
The move the approve was seconded by Cllr Anthony Harrison (Chelford, Con) and the vote was unanimous.
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