- Dorset County Hospital multi-storey car park plans approved
- Councillors overrule Council Planners' recommendation of refusal
- West Dorset MP intervenes to save £62.5 million Government funding
Following Chris Loder's statement and letter to Councillors on the proposed expansion of Dorset County Hospital, and today's Northern Area Planning Committee meeting, the Committee has listened and approved the plans for a multi-storey car park - the first step in unlocking Government funding of £62.5 million and a new A&E Department that's fit for the future health needs of Dorset residents.
Following today's meeting, Cllr Sherry Jespersen, chairman of Dorset Council's Northern Area Planning Committee, said;
“I can confirm that after careful consideration, the planning application from Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (DCH) to build a multi storey car park with other improvements to the internal site road has been approved by the Northern Area Planning Committee today.
“Committee members recognise how significant this decision is for the hospital, its patients, visitors and employees, as well as the impact it will have on local residents. The decision to support DCH’s application was granted after much discussion by all members, showing the democratic process in action.
“We voted to approve the application, deciding that the harm to local heritage and landscape is significantly outweighed by the social and economic benefits of the proposed car parks at Dorchester County Hospital.
“Dorset Council planning officers tested this application against national and local planning regulations, and I would like to thank them for their balanced and rigorous work.
“I’d also like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation process for this important development for the county town.”
See the full plans for Dorset County Hospital's future expansion:
https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/about/site-development/Documents/Engagement%20…
Read the statement of approval from Dorset Council:
https://news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/2020/09/15/approval-of-the-planning-a…
