Bid for new multi-storey car park at George Eliot

A BID has been put in for cash to pay for Nuneaton’s hospital to have a much-needed multi-storey car park.

Finding places to park at the George Eliot Hospital is a huge issue for patients and visitors alike.

Having a multi-storey car park has long been an ambition at the Eliot as part of its ambitious campus plans and it could soon become a reality.

A bid for an undisclosed amount of cash has been made to the region’s Sustainability and Transformation Partnership.

Last month the hospital’s car park made the news again as residents fumed over prices going up, while the amount of time offered to park for free was slashed.

The multi-storey car been agreed as a priority.

In an update on the Eliot’s ten point plan, it states: “A multi-storey car park has been agreed as one of the STP estates strategy priorities.

“This is required to free-up land to progress the campus plan but is subject to securing funding via the STP capital bidding process.”

In the meantime, the hospital has revealed it is working with Warwickshire County Council on another development on site - an Extra Care park has

Facility.

These can come in the shape of purpose-built accommodation such as flats, apartments, bungalows and retirement villages and can include 24-hour access to emergency support, an on-site care team 24/7, social and leisure activities, a restaurant, and/or meal provision and laundry.

This work is currently ongoing. The ambitious proposal, which would see a number of key organisations set-up home on the sprawling George Eliot Hospital site, has hit many buffers.

Other elements within the ‘Health and Well Being Campus’ plan are unlikely to come to fruition without a huge cash injection.

It was in July 2017 when the news about the campus was first revealed.

Reports back then suggested that education opportunities, a health and well-being hub and even housing were being looked at for the huge 34 acre site.

But the plans have not progressed over the past two years and, according to the Eliot’s ten point plan, are unlikely to any time soon.

“The campus plan has been reviewed and the opportunities explored at board development session,” it said.

“Without a significant capital injection, it will not be possible to move the campus plan forward in its entirety.”