A new 700 space multi-storey car park for Broomfield Hospital looks set to ease parking pressure for patients and visitors to the site.

The car park will be built next to the Linden Centre mental health unit on ground currently occupied by 12 staff houses and an existing car park.

A meeting of Chelmsford Borough Council planning committee on Tuesday voted to approve the design, which includes an oversized stairwell towering above the four levels of car parking fronted with glass.

Chief Executive of Mid-Essex Hospitals Trust Andrew Pike told councillors: "These plans provide an excellent proposal for the residents of the district with superb facilities and parking. Car parking and access is one of the major issues for our patients, relatives and families who use the hospital."

The development raises maximum parking capacity at the hospital to 2,536 from the previous ceiling of 1,836 and includes a £250,000 contribution to the Highways Authority for improving local roads.

The design also includes anti-jump measures with a mesh metal fence covering the sides of the car park and curving over the top level.

Cllr Bill Horslen (Lab, Marconi) expressed concerns about the lack of road infrastructure accompanying the scheme: "The infrastructure should be matching the growth of Broomfield Hospital. We are going to be bedeviled with transport problems because we haven't thought them through."

But Cllr Sameh Hindi (Con, Moulsham and Central) gave the development his full support: "I'm very pleased with the scheme," he said, "I think it's a good idea to solve the parking problems at the hospital."

Concerns were raised by members over the safety of female hospital staff using the car park, but planning officer Andy Bestwick said the development will be monitored by CCTV and will have 24 hour patrols.

Published Thursday September 16, 2004

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