Forest of Dean hospital plans approved
It would see a new 24 bed facility
Plans to build a new hospital in the Forest of Dean have been given the go-ahead.
Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust has been granted permission to build a new 24 bed community hospital on the Steam Mills Road playing field.
Their proposals, which include removing the existing skate park which will be replaced with a new one at the Miner’s Field, have received the backing of the Forest of Dean District Council’s planning committee.
The new hospital is designed to provide urgent care, physiotherapy and paediatric services.
And it will include imaging and general and specialist outpatient departments along with dental and treatment suites.
The hospital will have 132 parking spaces, seven of which will be for wheelchair users and there will be eight electric vehicle charging bays.
Architects working on the plans say they have designed the building to reflect the local character of Cinderford.
They have drawn inspiration from the agricultural, industrial, cultural and civic buildings found within the Forest of Dean.
Pete Stockall, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said the plans will deliver significant health, social and economic benefits.
He called on councillors to approve the scheme to allow the new hospital to be delivered.
“The building has been designed to a high environmental standard and site wide ecology benefits integrated into the landscaping to deliver biodiversity net gain.”
He also said the development will run in parallel to the provision of the new skate park at Miner’s Welfare Playing Field.
The proposals have the support of Cinderford Town Council however they have several concerns over the viability of the site.
Town councillors said thousands of new homes are expected to be built in the Forest over the next few years and there appears to be no room to be able to extend the new hospital in future.
They also have concerns about how the new hospital will impact traffic flow in the town.
Cllr Brian Lewis (Con, Redmarley) proposed following the planning officer’s recommendation to approve the scheme and this was seconded by Cllr Maria Edwards (Ind, Tidenham)
Cllr Jackie Fraser (G, Mitcheldean, Ruardean & Drybrook) said she could not support the scheme and said the new hospital should be built at the Dilke site.
“This site is not the right place. It will lead to increased traffic generation through Steam Mills and the loss of important open space.”
The committee voted to approve the plans by seven votes in favour, two against and one abstention.
Construction will go ahead provided Natural England raises no objections.