These are the pictures which illustrate the potential transformation of a multimillion-pound car park at the north-east’s flagship hospital.
New images have been unveiled, showing the £10million facility at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
The artist’s impressions show a futuristic facade clad with metal panels, with a gloss finish, which are designed to sparkle in the sun, mirroring the city’s famous granite.
After the sun sets, the building’s metallic visage will be lit up against the night sky, illuminated by lighting which will surround the building.
The multi-storey car park will consist of eight levels and will be exclusively used to accommodate patients and visitors. Currently, there are just 748 spaces for these two groups, despite the hospital receiving about 5,000 visits every day.
The development has been made possible by a donation of £10.73million from Sir Ian and Lady Helen Wood’s charity, the Wood Foundation, in May last year.
Last night, the billionaire said the much-needed structure would allow the health board to continue spending on frontline health services.
He added: “It’s good to see tangible progress on this much-needed project, which is being championed by my wife.
“We are both pleased with the artist’s impressions which show an attractive building that will enhance the hospital’s estate.
“Our aim was to help fund a new car park that would alleviate the stress for patients and their families caused by the current inadequate parking. The Wood Foundation pledge ensures a new car park will not divert funds from vital healthcare services.”
The new development will have room for 1,276 parking bays, including 50 disabled spaces.
It will be built on the site of the existing second car park, meaning that staff will lose out on 91 spaces.
Unison has previously made calls for staff parking provision to be increased at the Foresterhill site.
Any hospital staff who are caught parking in the facility without an appointment will be issued with a warning and could face disciplinary procedures if they continue to do so.
The proposals are expected to be considered by city planning chiefs in the near future.
An NHS Grampian spokeswoman said: “These images are indicative, but reflect our ambition for this project, made possible by the very generous support of The Wood Foundation.
“We have been working closely with Aberdeen City Council’s planning department and have submitted our final proposed design for them to consider. We expect this to happen in due course.”
The car park is scheduled to open in February.
