Agenda item - BH2024/02729 - Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Road, Brighton - Full Planning

1.    The case officer introduced the application to the committee.

Speakers

2.    Julian Redpath addressed the committee as a resident and stated that they represented the residents of Upper Abbey Road and Courtney King House. They considered that the amended application would inflict further loss of daylight, sunlight, views and privacy. The application is supported by residents, but two amendments are being requested: 1 – shift the location of the building and 2 – submission of a serious coherent travel plan. The new design is unrecognisable from original scheme with internal floor space reduced by 1/3, 285 parking spaces removed and roof top garden replaced with hard surface plaza at ground level. Removal or shrinking of the plaza would shift the new build up to 30m away from the existing homes. Allowing for a garden west of the building which could bio-diverse and good for wellbeing. Failure to provide this would be a missed opportunity. Residents engaged with all avenues of consultation, and the only change has been to move the rooftop garage a few metres east. Councillors are requested to support the welfare and wellbeing of current and future residents and users by moving the build east and supplying a coherent travel plan.

3.    Neighbouring Ward Councillor Burden addressed the committee and stated that they were a member of the hospital liaison group and the impact of the application on the community was a concern. There were not considered to be sufficient changes from the previous approved scheme. The cancer centre is needed however reducing onsite parking will place a strain on local traffic. The new height will be more imposing with 8.8m more building. The scheme will be closer to homes and families, when it could be closer to the existing Louise Martindale Building to the east. There will be a loss of privacy, air quality and unwanted noise.

4.    Roy Evans addressed the committee on behalf of the Hospital Trust and stated that the development strategy was to improve the cancer centre as a key priority. Funding for other schemes in the UK have been restricted; however, Brighton has been allowed to continue with the development. Since the previous scheme was agreed the changes submitted here increase capacity, act as an alternative to Accident & Emergency in the main building, with 26 more beds. The best health care will be offered with an environment designed to deliver to both staff and patients. The scheme represents an opportunity to change cancer treatment.

Answers to Committee Member Questions

5.    Councillor Galvin was informed that the 98 parking spaces for visitors and patients are included in the basement of the new Louisa Martindale Building (LMB). It was noted that the NHS Trust would be required by legal agreement to find off-site parking.

6.    Councillor Earthey was informed that the scheme was for a regional cancer centre and the application included a more efficient layout so would serve more people than was previously the case. It was noted that the overall parking was increased which relies on a park and ride for staff parking at Whitehawk Football Club and the racecourse, thereby releasing parking spaces for visitors and patients. There is an existing bus stop outside the Louisa Martindale Building (LMB) with routes to/from all parts of the city and there will be drop off and pick up points.

7.    Councillor Robinson was informed that both the previous and the amended scheme include single storey bunkers for storage. The estimated number of patients per day will be 350 which is around 100 more than the current situation. The Macmillan Horizon Centre has designated parking. A digital system for locating parking spaces can be looked into, however, the basement car park already has a digital display of spaces available. A parking management plan will be required by condition. The proposed layby will be for drop off and pick up only. There will be rear layby for ambulances. The Louisa Martindale Building (LMB) has lifts from the basement parking for accessibility with a covered way to the new cancer centre.

8.    Councillor Thomson was informed that the amended building would be higher and stepped back. It was noted that there would be a total of 476 parking spaces on site with 107 given over to essential staff. 530 staff parking spaces are provided off site. The council highways officer noted that parking details were required by condition, including off site provisions which would be secured by legal agreement.

9.    Councillor Theobald was informed that the off-site staff parking was considered to be working already, the rooftop garden will be replaced by solar panels and a plaza at ground floor, which will be more accessible, some of the public art fund has been spent in the Louisa Martindale Building (LMB) and the blue plaque attached to the demolished building will be attached to the new building. It was noted that the previously proposed underground parking has been removed in the amended scheme due to costs. The parking contract for the racecourse will expire next year and a new 5-year agreement with Whitehawk Football Club is close to be signed. Other Sussex hospitals offer day services; however, the new centre treatments will provide specialist services similar to the Royal Marsden. It was noted that incidents of cancer were rising, requiring more treatments.

10. Councillor Nann was informed that moving the building east would create a wind tunnel by narrowing the space between buildings, with a decrease in sun/daylight. The new public space allows access and frames views from the children’s hospital. It was noted that a long list of alternative options had been considered, and this amended scheme was the best option in design and position. The scheme includes a welcoming front door with plenty of space around.

11. Councillor Winder was informed that a draft travel plan has been submitted and the s106 agreement includes the need for a travel plan.

12. Councillor Sheard was informed that the funding for the scheme would be lost if the planning committee refused the amended scheme.

Debate

13. Councillor Shanks considered that costs have changed, and they had to consider the scheme before the committee. The councillor supported the application.

14. Councillor Sheard considered there was a need for a cancer centre, however, they felt upset at the amendments as they preferred the previous scheme. It appears that the Trust demolished the old building then looked at the previous scheme, then amended. Parking will always be a challenge, and it was noted that the s106 agreement required the Trust to look for off-site staff parking. The councillor considered it was this application or nothing, so they supported the application.

15. Councillor Robinson stated they were not happy with the amended scheme as they considered designated cancer centre parking was required and the travel plan to be submitted by condition needed improving.

16. Councillor Theobald considered the parking was an issue before on the previous scheme, and this will lead to more on street parking in the area. The design of the previous scheme appeared to be more characterful. The cancer centre is welcomed; however, the parking overall is an issue as is both the height of the proposals and that the previous design was considered to be better. The councillor did not support the application.

17. Councillor Earthey considered that cancer patients were not interested in views and the new building should adjoin the Louisa Martindale Building (LMB). The Royal Marsden hospital has a model drop off system from which lessons should be learned. The new building needs to be fully accessible. On consideration, the councillor supported the application.

18. Councillor Winder considered the cancer centre was needed, however, the Trust needed to think ahead and future-proof. On consideration, the councillor supported the application. Councillor Thomson considered that the Trust needed to take onboard comments made in the meeting including an integrated travel plan.

Vote

19. A vote was taken, and by 8 to 1 the committee agreed to grant planning permission.

20. RESOLVED: That the Committee has taken into consideration and agrees with the reasons for the recommendation set out in the report and resolves to be MINDED TO GRANT planning permission subject to a Deed of Variation to the S106 agreement for planning permission BH2011/02886 (as amended by BH2021/03056), and the Conditions and Informatives as set out in the report SAVE THAT should the Deed of Variation not be completed on or before 30 July 2025 the Head of Planning is hereby authorised to refuse planning permission for the reasons set out in section 13 of the report.