NHS bosses to appeal over hospital demolition refusal
NHS chiefs are planning to appeal a decision by Sunderland City Council after councillors refused plans to demolish and redevelop part of Monkwearmouth Hospital.
Earlier this week, Sunderland City Council’s Planning and Highways (East) Committee voted to reject proposals forthesiteoffNewcastleRoad.
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW), which operates the hospital, said the works would provide “fit-for-purpose” facilities.
However, the scheme attracted strong opposition from neighbours who raised concerns about loss of heritage, impacts on privacy and noise and traffic impacts.
The planning refusal on Novemver 29 saw a majority of councillors vote against the advice of council planning officers.
Following the ruling, CNTWbosseshaveconfirmed they are planning to lodge an appeal.
This would see the planning application dealt with by the national Planning Inspectorate, with a planning inspector appointed to rule on the matter.
James Duncan, Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Finance at CNTW said: “In developing this proposal, the trust has alwaystriedtobalancetheneed to provide high quality health services for the wider populationofSunderland,withbeing agoodneighbourtothepeople of the surrounding area.
“Thecurrentbuildingsare not structurally sound and don’t provide a suitable environment for therapeutic care or for staff wellbeing.
“We will continue to work with our neighbours and involve them in our ongoing plans for the site.
“Most importantly, we need to ensure that our vital services, supporting people of all ages with their mental health needs, can continue to be delivered safely and effectively in the heart of the community in Sunderland.
“We will therefore be appealing the decision.”
In a presentation to councillors this week, Sunderland CityCouncilplannerssaidthe development would enhance and modernise existing hospitalfacilitiesandimproveaccessibility to services.
However controversial aspects of the scheme included therelocationofacarparkand the demolition of the hospital’s front entrance.
Objectors also raised concerns about the quality of the pre-application consultation
from developers, alongside arguments that the clinical office development’s design would clash with the character of nearby dwellings.
Although calls were made for the building’s stone ‘portico’entrancetoberetainedand incorporated into new plans for the site, developers maintained this was not feasible.
Campaigners have said they are “disappointed” with the trust’s intention to appeal and are asking health bosses and developers to go back to the drawing board on proposals for the site.
One resident involved in the campaign, Joanne Roulstone, said: “If only the trust had respected and worked with local residents before putting pen to paper, then they may have been in the positionofbeingabletopresenta muchmorepalatableproposal for development.
“We ask that the trust and their developers, instead of simply attempting to appeal this decision, go back to the drawing board and rethink their plans.”