Hospital on the way for Clevedon

09 March 2010

OUTLINE plans for a new hospital in Clevedon have been approved by North Somerset councillors.

At a meeting of the authority's north area planning committee on Thursday all but one of the members voted in favour of the plans for the Millcross site.

At a cost of £19million NHS North Somerset hopes to build a new community hospital with a completion target date of 2013.

The new facility will feature rehabilitation and therapeutic facilities, dedicated outpatient and inpatient areas, an out-of-hours GP service and private bedrooms with ensuites.

At Thursday's meeting, Councillor Carl Francis-Pester said: "I think we are very happy with this proposal.

"This application is the result of much consultation and we are very pleased that this has resulted in an improved hospital for Clevedon."

The positive comments were echoed by Cllr David Pasley, who said: "When we have been dealt with at the current Clevedon hospital, my family and I have been seen quickly and efficiently.

"I hope that the new hospital will continue this quite unique and special service."

Councillor David Shopland was the only committee member who voted against the outline planning application.

He raised concerns about the amount of parking planned for the site, the fact he thinks the site is too small and that the hospital could impact on the lives of nearby residents.

However, NHS North Somerset chief executive Chris Born has assured he will be working with residents to minimise disruption.

He said: "This approval means we have now secured a site where a new hospital can be built.

"We will be discussing with residents living nearby how we can minimise disruption during the next phase of the process.

"We want to make this hospital as much part of the community as the current one."

Now the proposals have been approved by North Somerset Council, NHS North Somerset will have to submit a full business case to the Strategic Health Authority.

Further work will also be done on the detailed design of the building, including the facilities that will be available at the hospital.

Once this has been decided and the SHA has approved the business case a full planning application can be submitted to the council.