Agenda item

The Forum had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning, on a submission of a Proposal of Application Notice by Mackie Ramsay Taylor Architects, on behalf of their client, NHS Grampian, for a proposed major redevelopment of the site consisting of the proposed erection of an Elective Care Centre with associated external works at land to the east of Lady Helen Parking Centre, Foresterhill Road Aberdeen, 190993.

The report advised that the application site extended to 0.9ha and formed part of the Foresterhill Health Campus, located immediately to the north of Phase 1 (Ward Block) building which incorporated the front door to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI).  The recently constructed Lady Helen Parking Centre offered multi-storey car parking facilities to the west of the site.

The report also explained that the proposal involved the construction of an extension to the existing phase 1 ward block at ARI, along with associated service yard, ambulance parking bays and turning spaces, and hard and soft landscaping.  The proposed extension was also described as an ‘Elective Care Centre’ and the submission set out how they intended to provide day patient services for a number of surgical and medical specialities by providing day-case procedures/surgery along with a dedicated endoscopy unit in a single facility.  The Elective Care Centre would be capable of providing ‘one stop’ clinics for Urology, Respiratory and Dermatology along with outpatient Imaging services contained within the proposed extension which would be relocating from other locations within the Foresterhill Health Campus.

The Forum heard from Gerry Donald, Head of Property and Asset Development (NHS Grampian), Manju Patel (Project Director NHS Grampian), Louise McKessock (Clinical Redesign Manager – Elective Care Programme) and Bruce Balance, (Architect – Mackie Ramsay Taylor Architects), in regard to the proposed application.  Mr Donald explained that the Scottish Government had recognised the need to change the way that planned care was delivered in the future and had provided funding for a new Elective Care Centre to be developed at the Foresterhill Health Campus.  It was hoped that the Elective Care Programme would deliver (a) more facilities and quicker access to services, (b) new improved technology, (c) a greater focus on person-centred care and (d) provide treatment closer to home.  It was also noted that the Elective Care Centre would provide (1) Ambulatory facilities for Urology, Dermatology and Respiratory Medicine, (2) Day Surgery facilities and Endoscopy facilities, (3) MRI and CT Scanning facilities and (4) Links to Community Hub facilities.

Mr Balance spoke in relation to the design of the facility and noted that a lot of planning was underway into the logistics of the building.  They were aware of the significant green space and through consultation, noted that patients and workers were keen to retain the daffodils in the area.  Mr Balance explained that on level 6 there would be plant equipment, which was on level 6 for practical reasons, in order for air constraints of the site and screening would be used at roof level to contain and conceal the plant equipment from view.

The Forum then heard from Mr Gavin Evans, Case Officer, who addressed the Forum and provided details regarding the planning aspects of the application and responded to questions from members.  Mr Evans explained that as this was classed as a major application in terms of the relevant development hierarchy, there was a statutory requirement for pre-application consultation and submission of a Proposal of Application Notice (PoAN).  Mr Evans indicated that a consultation event was taking place on week commencing 19 August 2019 in the local area and highlighted that notices should be issued to neighbouring properties on Ashgrove Road West and Cornhill Road, those being the closest residential properties. 

Mr Evans explained that as part of the application, the applicant had been advised that the following information would need to accompany the formal submission:-

• Pre-Application Consultation Report;
• Design and Access Statement;
• Landscape Strategy and Management Plan;
• Transport Assessment;
• Travel Plan;
• Tree Survey, Arboricultural Impact Assessment and Tree Protection Plan; and
• Water Efficiency Statement.

Mr Evans also highlighted the relevant planning policies in regard to the Local Development Plan 2017.

• Policy D1 – Quality Placemaking by Design
• Policy D2 – Landscape
• Policy I1 – Infrastructure Delivery and Planning Obligations
• Policy T2 – Managing the Transport Impact of Development
• Policy T3 – Sustainable and Active Travel
• Policy CF1 – Existing Community Sites and Facilities
• Policy NE4 – Open Space Provision in New Development
• Policy NE5 – Trees and Woodlands
• Policy R6 – Waste Management Requirements for New Development; and
• Policy R7 – Low and Zero Carbon Buildings and Water Efficiency.

Members then asked a number of questions of both the applicant and the case officer and the following information was noted:-

1. There was a timeline set by the Scottish Government for completion by November 2021 and as a result the applicant hoped to start work in September 2020;
2. They were keen to be a good neighbour to the surrounding properties and as a result would be happy to discuss how this could be achievable in relation to workers parking in the nearby streets; and
3. They were in ongoing discussions with planning officers in regard to the design materials.

The report recommended:-

That the Forum –

(a)          Note the key issues identified;

(b)          If necessary, seek clarification on any particular matters; and

(c)        Identify relevant issues which they would like the applicant to consider and address in any future application.

The Forum resolved:-

(i)            to note the information provided from both the applicant and the case officer; and

(ii)          to thank the presenters for their informative presentation.