Hospital neighbours object to offices

A MOVE by the NHS to build temporary offices for its staff in the car park of a North Yorkshire hospital has triggered concerns for the mental health of elderly and vulnerable neighbours.

Residents of Priory Close in Northallerton said while they supported South Tees NHS Trust’s ambition to create a new operating theatre complex at the Friarage Hospital, they had been startled by the buildings for 35 staff being erected overlooking their homes. Planning papers submitted by the trust to Hambleton Council state the erection of 300sq m of temporary offices are part of its plan to provide state of the art facilities for elective surgery at the hospital.

They state management staff would be transferred to the offices to enable demolition works on the site.

A trust spokesman said it wanted to keep the offices for three years on 29 spaces of the visitor car park, near Priory Close, a group of homes owned by Broadacres Housing Association.

Priory Close residents said the NHS had not consulted over its plans and claimed the buildings had gone up with planning permission yet to be granted.

One resident, whose name is withheld, said: “I had to get in touch with the council to find out what was happening with the buildings. I was informed that no application or request had been received at the time these were erected.

“The windows overlook my property and my privacy has been invaded. I now have to keep my blinds down as they overlook my bathroom and bedroom.”

The trust did not respond to claims the buildings had been erected without permission. A spokesman said: “In response to feedback, special film has been applied to the windows, which can’t be seen through.”