Plans for hospital centre approved despite concerns

Construction of a new £10.5m medical facility at a hospital in Leicestershire can go ahead after receiving planning permission.

The NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (LLR ICB) will build the day case unit on the existing Hinckley and District Hospital, in Mount Road.

It comes despite calls from Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council's leader to preserve the historic Victorian frontage of the hospital, which will be demolished as part of the development.

The authority's planning committee granted planning permission on Tuesday - subject to a review of the hospital's listed building status, which was upheld on Thursday, meaning the development can go ahead.

The review of the listed status was carried out by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

A spokesperson said: "Following a request to review the decision not to list the Victorian cottage hospital in Hinckley, it was decided that it did not meet the criteria for listing and the decision was upheld."

The new facility is designed to deliver services including gynaecology, urology and plastic surgery and will be linked to the new community diagnostic centre at the site.

In a letter, council leader Stuart Bray said he "warmly" welcomed improved NHS facilities in the town following decades of campaigning, but urged the board to "look at the plans again".

A council motion urged the applicant to "look for ways to work with local heritage groups and others to seek to preserve as many heritage features as possible".

Dr Luke Evans, Conservative MP for Hinckley and Bosworth, said: "In just a few short weeks, we have seen what a difference the £24m community diagnostic centre has made to people across our area, who can now get their tests, scans and checks right here in Hinckley.

"I know how important access to local healthcare is for people and families across our community, and look forward to seeing this exciting investment take shape now it has the green light."

Toby Sanders, interim chief executive of the LLR ICB, said he was "absolutely delighted" the plans could now move forward.

"The development of the day case unit is the second phase of our development for Hinckley and will cater for a wide range of clinical specialities in modern facilities," he said.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care added: "As part of the 10-year health plan, we want to shift healthcare out of hospitals into the community, to ensure patients and their families receive personalised care in the right place, at the right time.

"We are pleased to be providing more than £7m for a day case unit in Hinckley which will greatly benefit patients and the community."

Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.