A multimillion-pound revamp of the north-east’s flagship hospital has taken another step forward.
The £120million Aberdeen Royal Infirmary development, which comprises a new cancer treatment centre and a family hospital, has been given preliminary approval from city planning bosses.
The Anchor centre will treat people with cancer and blood disorders while the Baird Family Hospital will contain maternity, neo-natal, breast-screening and gynaecology units.
Health bosses have also planned at least eight more buildings at the Foresterhill site, with the scheme expected to take five years to complete.
Now, city council planning chiefs have given the development permission in principle.
NHS Grampian’s project director yesterday welcomed the authority’s decision.
Jackie Bremner said: “The project team is in the process of appointing a contractor and design team. Once appointed later in the year, detailed planning for these exciting developments can get underway.
“The next important stages for these developments scheduled during 2016 are the submission of an outline business case, full planning application and thereafter full business case for this £150 million project which is due to be completed in 2020.”
Meanwhile, work on the long-awaited visitor car park will get under way next week.
The £10million, 1,000 space facility at ARI was approved by the council last month and is expected to be completed in July next year.
The development has been made possible by a donation of £10.73million from Sir Ian and Lady Helen Wood’s charity, the Wood Foundation.
Construction had been due to begin earlier this month but was delayed while the final appearance of the car park was agreed upon.
The health board has previously said this will mean the existing visitors park is closed, with the adjacent staff spaces given to construction teams and the public.
A spokeswoman for the board said: “We would encourage all visitors who are able to, to park off site, arrange lifts or use public transport when coming to the site. Patient parking on the core
site will be unchanged but will be in higher demand during the works.
“We recognise the reduction in parking is going to inconvenience our staff, patients and visitors. However, in the long term it is going to make it easier for patients and visitors to access the site which will greatly enhance the smooth running of wards and clinics.”
