Hospital plans wetlands near helicopter pad

A hospital has requested planning permission to build a wetland area near its helicopter landing site.

Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust wants to create seven ponds to boost biodiversity in a field close to the helipad at Pinderfields Hospital.

Documents submitted to Wakefield Council say the scheme would include seven “seasonal pools” with four deeper pools in the middle of the complex.

Pinderfields is a major trauma centre and has a helipad close to the emergency department.

The application states: “The ponds would be left to naturally fill and colonise with native species of flora and fauna, with no intervention or management required, which will therefore provide the greatest effect with regards to increasing biodiversity on site.

The 5,812 sq ft (540 sq m) site would be located near to North Avenue, outside of the helicopter landing exclusion zone, which must be kept clear for safety reasons.

The scheme includes repairing hedgerows near to the site and adding signage and a floatation device or life vest to ensure safety, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The ponds would range in size, the application states.

The plan also includes constructing perimeter fencing using logs from trees that are felled in the hospital grounds as part of a management programme.

The original planning application had stated that despite the helipad field being private property, its perimeter was "not secure" as there were several access points for members of the public, particularly dog walkers.

Howevever, the trust confirmed to the BBC that the site had since been made "fully secure", with perimeter fencing and a locked gate, meaning it would no longer be accessible to the public.

No date has been set to consider the application.

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