East Surrey Hospital masterplan features multi-storey car parks

New multi-storey car parks are set to feature in a masterplan to redevelop East Surrey Hospital.

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council gave its backing for the hospital to be expanded after removing most of the site from green belt, as set in its Local Development Framework approved last September. This means the hospital can be extended onto the former Redhill Golf Centre driving range, which is owned by Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.

The masterplan to redevelop the hospital is due to be drawn up by early summer.

There are currently 2,000 spaces in surface car parks across the site. The masterplan could include proposals for additional parking, a rehabilitation centre, outpatient centre, expansion of an MRI centre, key worker homes, mental health hospital and a nursing home.

Michael Wilson CBE, chief executive of Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, told Parking Review: “It is very early days in thinking through how the hospital might develop. It is positive news that we are going to be able to draw up some detailed plans, and we will do this over the coming months. We want the very best NHS services for our local community, so our priority will be continuing to improve our facilities and making sure we can meet the rising demand on our services.

“For example, there are potentially exciting opportunities to develop more joined-up health and care services here, which could help people’s overall wellbeing and make care more seamless for local patients. It’s vital that any plans for development across the region are coordinated well with our partners so that local infrastructure matches growth. That’s why any proposals that are developed in the future will be planned carefully and thoroughly in discussion with local partners. Within all of this there are also important environmental features which must be protected and enhanced.”