Hospital plans are up for debate

Plans to build a new hospital in the Forest of Dean will be decided next week.

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust wants to build a new 24 bed community hospital on the Steam Mills Road playing field.

Their proposals include removing the existing skate park which will be replaced with a new one at the Miner’s Field.

The new hospital is designed to provide urgent care, physiotherapy and paediatric services.

And it will include imaging and general and specialist outpatient departments along with dental and treatment suites.

The hospital will have 132 parking spaces, seven of which will be for wheelchair users and there will be eight electric vehicle charging bays.

Architects working on the plans say they have designed the building to reflect the local character of Cinderford.

They have drawn inspiration from the agricultural, industrial, cultural and civic buildings found within the Forest of Dean.

The proposals have the support of Cinderford Town Council however they have several concerns over the viability of the site.

Town councillors say that thousands of new homes are expected to be built in the Forest over the next few years and there appears to be no room to be able to extend the hospital in future.

They also have concerns about how the new hospital will impact traffic flow in the town.

Some seven residents have objected to the proposals over concerns the new hospital will lead to increased air pollution from traffic, it will lead to a loss of green space and will impact the value of properties.

Forest of Dean District Council planning officers recommend approving the scheme as it represents sustainable development.

They say the plans should go ahead subject to an agreement to secure a new skate park in Cinderford and that Natural England raise no objections.

The planning committee will make a decision on March 8.