Agenda item

First and second floor extensions above Remedial Therapy Department to provide additional clinical space for new Endoscopy Unit [Guildhall] [Site Visit]

Members considered a full major application by York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust for first and second floor extensions above the Remedial Therapy Department to provide additional clinical space for a new Endoscopy Unit.

Officers circulated a statement from the applicant to Members on BREEAM, which detailed how the applicants felt that imposing a  BREEAM rating of “very good” would make the scheme unviable. This related to constraints of the application, the particular services requirements for a hospital and the location of the extension which would involve the accommodation of the additional plant. They requested that if planning permission was granted that this BREEAM condition was not attached.  

This statement had been published online with the agenda following the meeting.

In their update Officers reported that;

·        A concern had been raised in regards to 'out of hours' noise from the boiler house. Officers confirmed that this could be controlled by a condition restricting hours of loading and unloading to 0800-1800 on Monday to Friday and 0900-1300 Saturday with no works on Sundays or bank holidays.

·        If Members were minded to approve the application that an additional condition could be added in respect of the noise from machinery, plant and equipment which was audible at the boundary of the hospital site.

·        It would cost approximately £150k for the hospital to attain the required BREEAM rating of “very good”.

Representations were received from James Hayward, the project director. He informed the Committee of the need for a new Endoscopy Unit and provided details of the layout of the unit. He requested that the hospital be considered differently when it came to reviewing BREEAM ratings. To achieve a very good rating would cost over £135k, equivalent to 5 nurses salaries.

In response to a question about whether the hospital used  sustainable energy, it was noted that solar energy had been investigated as a long term sustainable energy source. It was considered that although the technology had improved, it did not provide sufficient long term measurable benefits.

Some Members expressed concerns that only the finance figures had been shown to the Committee. They expressed disappointment that the BREEAM rating had not been achieved and highlighted that the overall cost to the budget was not large.

Others supported the application as they felt that the development would lead to the prevention of disease at an earlier stage and also be a long term addition to the hospital.

Resolved: That the application be approved subject to the conditions listed in the Officer’s report and the following additional condition;

6.              Details of all machinery, plant and equipment to be installed, which is audible above background noise levels at the hospital site boundaries, and proposed noise mitigation measures shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority. These details shall include maximum (LAmax(f)) and average (LAeq) sound levels (A weighted), and octave band noise levels they produce. All such approved machinery, plant and equipment shall not be used on the site except in accordance with the prior written approval of the local planning authority. The machinery, plant or equipment and any approved noise mitigation measures shall be appropriately maintained afterwards.

Reason:     The application will provide a purpose built endoscopy unit for the hospital to meet modern standards. Policy C4 of the Local Plan relates specifically to new development at the York District Hospital site and allows for new development providing sustainable methods of transport are promoted and residential amenity is not impacted.  The application does not provide additional parking and the site is within a sustainable location with good public transport links.  The extension is some distance from residential properties and considered to have little impact on amenity as a result of this.  Consequently it is considered to comply with this policy.