West Midlands NHS trust to build two car parks

An NHS trust in the West Midlands has received planning permission to build a pair of multi-storey car parks on its hospital sites. Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust said its plans to improve parking would ensure it could continue to meet demand at Sandwell General Hospital and City Hospital.

The trust is developing the sites as part of the move of some services to the Midland Metropolitan Hospital, which is due to open in Smethwick in 2022. A 400-space car park will be built at Sandwell General Hospital and a 550-space car park at City Hospital.

Residents, councillors and hospital staff were invited to hear about the plans during engagement events held in October 2019. The views, ideas and concerns gathered fed into the planning applications that were submitted to Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council and Birmingham City Council by specialist health and care developer Prime.

James Pollitt, associate director of strategic development at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, said: “We’re delighted to have received planning permission, which will address a long-standing concern for our dedicated workforce.

“Our schemes will include electric vehicle charging provision and will help us to tackle parking on neighbouring streets. The trust continues to invest in supporting other modes of travel as part of our Net Zero commitment.”

Proposals for the new multi-storey car parks are being developed by the trust in conjunction with its car parking operator, Q-Park and its estates development partner Prime.

Sandwell Metropolitan Council and Birmingham City Council granted planning through a mixture of delegated authority and remote committee consultation.

Ewan Forsyth, Prime’s development director, said: “This milestone demonstrates the great efforts that councils and planners are making to ensure planning systems can continue to operate effectively throughout this COVID-19 emergency period. Councils are adopting practical and virtual approaches to planning decisions to ensure planning can continue and contribute to economic and social recovery.”

Adam Bidder, managing director of Q-Park UK, added: “High-quality parking facilities at hospital sites are vitally important. Building the multi-storey car parks has the potential to improve the quality of access and parking at both Sandwell General Hospital and the City Hospital to enhance the patient, visitor and staff experience.”