Runnymede Borough Council has given the go-ahead for the redevelopment of surplus land at St. Peter’s Hospital, Chertsey in a decision that will pave the way for major healthcare improvements for Surrey. The planning committee passed the resolution to approve the application after various matters such as traffic impacts and affordable housing provision were successfully resolved.
Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust will now sell the West Site at St. Peter’s. All the revenue from the sale of the land will directly benefit the public; funding healthcare improvements and providing new keyworker accommodation. The work will include:
- New urgent and emergency care facilities integrated with a large assessment unit, delivering 21st century healthcare
- Improved mental health facilities
- A new main entrance to the hospital
- A new multi-storey car park
- 147 modern and affordable homes on site for doctors, nurses and other keyworkers, helping the Trusts to attract and retain the best staff – an increase of 80
- A new staff and visitor restaurant.
The application includes proposals for 328 new open market homes on the West Site, including family houses, smaller homes and a 116-apartment retirement village. The new homes, along with the affordable keyworker accommodation, will make an important contribution to solving the borough’s housing shortage.
Following a full traffic impacts study provided by the Trusts, Highways England is now satisfied that the development will not have an impact on Junction 11 of the M25 and consequently has removed its objection. Surrey County Council is also satisfied with the new bus service for staff between the hospital site and Woking. The details of this will be agreed as part of a (Section 106) planning obligations agreement. An upgrade to the St Peters Hospital roundabout will add additional road capacity and reduce congestion.
Suzanne Rankin, Chief Executive of Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, warmly welcomed the council’s decision. She said: “I would like to thank Highways England, Surrey County Council and Runnymede committee members for their support of this very important application. The sale of the site is crucial if much-needed healthcare improvements for St. Peter’s are to be achieved.”
Fiona Edwards, Chief Executive of Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted that the sale of this land will give us the opportunity to extensively upgrade our mental health wards on the St Peter’s Hospital site. We plan to provide single bedrooms with en-suite facilities and improved therapeutic areas to really help people in their recovery.”
The redevelopment scheme will also rationalise the hospital’s land holdings, allowing the Trusts to reduce overheads and maintenance burdens.
The council’s decision comes after two years’ detailed work from the Trusts’ teams which has included a masterplan, technical studies, and extensive consultation with the local community.
Pictured above is the Patient Appliances building that has been demolished to create the new hospital entrance. The facilities are now at Ashford Hospital.
This is a joint press release from Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
