Multi-storey car park near Worcestershire Royal Hospital

People are invited to come and find out more about plans for a new multi-storey car park close to Worcestershire Royal Hospital, served by a new access road off Nunnery Way (A4440).

The drop-in information session will take place at Hall 2, Lyppard Hub, Ankerage Green, Worcester on Wednesday, July 17 from 1pm to 7pm.

PRESSURE: Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester does experience parking issues at peak times (Image: Newsquest)

Worcester based specialist health and care developer, Prime plc, is working alongside Worcestershire County Council to devise a parking and access solution which will ease traffic congestion on roads surrounding Worcestershire Royal Hospital and support the development of a new secondary school on land to the east of the hospital.

Together they intend to submit a joint planning application for the school, an 850-space multi-storey car park and new access and exit road onto the A4440 Nunnery Way.

The road will allow entry to, and exit from, the car park and create the potential for new “blue light” route for emergency vehicles to reach and leave the hospital.

The plans on display at the drop-in session will respond to many of the concerns and opportunities raised during public consultation on the new school last summer. The aim is to demonstrate a collaborative and site wide approach to the development which is sensitive to the needs and experience of the community whilst ensuring the protection of ecology is a priority.

The drop-in session is an opportunity to view plans, speak to the team working on the proposals and share views on the proposed development. At present, Prime’s plan is to submit for outline planning consent, alongside the Council’s full application for a new secondary school.

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Outline consent approves the concept of the facility being delivered and enables the team working on the project to later submit a further application with greater detail on design.

Feedback from the local community could be used to influence the next stage of designing the development, and also deepen the team’s knowledge of the the community and its needs.

Guy Kippen, Associate Development Director for Prime, said: “Prime’s offices are based on the doorstep of the proposed development. Our staff live and work in the area, travel to work on the same roads as the local community, their children attend local schools, they receive care at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, and enjoy taking walks in woods, meadows and fields around the site.

“We have a vested interest in working alongside Worcestershire County Council to deliver a joined-up solution for the area which improves journeys, increases access to parking, provides a much-needed new school, while doing everything possible to protect wildlife and the community’s experience of wild spaces.

“We believe we have a great plan to do just that, and we look forward to showing our proposals and talking to the local community about them at the event on 17 July.”

For those who are unable to attend the event in person who would like to be involved, a website with details can be accessed at www.primeplc.com/WR5 and will be open for comments from Wednesday 17 July. Alternatively, details can be arranged to be sent by post by calling 01905 362120.

Stephen Collman, Managing Director of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, says: “We are actively exploring a range of options to make it easier for our patients, visitors and staff to park when they come to Worcestershire Royal Hospital, as well as reducing traffic congestion on our site.

"The proposals for a multi storey car park are still at a very early stage, but we are keen to take full advantage of any opportunities the school development might offer to improve access and parking at our hospital.”