Aberdeen businessman, Sir Ian Wood, is hopeful that a new hospital car park at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary can be ready for 2017 following a £10.7million donation to NHS Grampian from his charitable foundation.
Construction of the new amenity has moved a step closer with plans now lodged with Aberdeen City Council in a bid to help thousands of patients and visitors.
An application for detailed planning permission has been made by NHS Grampian to build a six or seven-storey structure at the hospital.
Oil tycoon, Sir Ian, and his wife, Lady Helen Wood, have contributed the multi-million-pound donation to pay for the car park – one of the biggest charitable donations of its kind.
The money has been offered to NHS Grampian to help ease “stress and anxiety” suffered by patients and visitors to the hospital trying to find spaces.
Sir Ian’s wife pushed for the donation to be made after her experiences of trying to park at the hospital when visiting family and friends.
Speaking to the Press and Journal yesterday, Sir Ian said the donation had increased from £10 million pounds to ensure 1,000 car park spaces could be provided.
He said: “It’s making good progress I think because everyone is really behind it.
“Everyone can see the huge benefit of getting it underway as quickly as possible and alleviating the problems and hardship that exists at the moment for patients and visitors.”
NHS Grampian confirmed earlier this year that 11,000 vehicles brought patients, visitors, deliveries and staff to the site every day.
Only 800 patient and visitor parking spaces are currently available, but the new car park would significantly boost this number.
Sir Ian added: “We are delighted it is moving ahead and we have actually increased the donation amount, it is going to be a bit more than £10million.”
“We hope the car park will be ready to go by early 2017.”
Rosemount councillor, Bill Cormie, said: “I look forward to seeing these plans come to the planning committee.
“I am sure everyone is grateful to the Wood family for the contribution they have given for the benefit of the whole of the community and the north-east and the Northern Isles.
“There’s a possibility, if there are fewer than six objections, that it’s done by delegated power, which is done by planning officers.”