Hospital drops bid to build car park

Hospital bosses say that the proposed multi-storey car park is "not viable at the present time" and a "more cost-effective" option would be to used grassed areas within the hospital grounds for parking.

The 208 proposed spaces will be created on three areas of land – one in the north-western corner of the grounds off Norwood Grange Drive, one on the eastern side towards the woodland and the third in the southern part of the huge grounds, next to the existing car parks – if planning permission is granted at a Sheffield Council committee meeting today.

Two further spots of land have also been earmarked for future use as car parking, which would go some way towards providing the number of spaces that would have been created by the multi-storey car park.

Just one member of the public has objected to the plans, which have been recommended for approval, saying that trees and shrubs near Longley Hall Road should not be cut down.

In 2008 planning permission was granted for both the multi-storey and a surface car park, which would together have created 529 car parking spaces. However, work never began on that development due to a lack of funds.

The Northern General Hospital has had a long-standing problem with parking provision and neighbours in Firth Park have frequently complained of visitors parking in residential streets.

In their report set to go before today's meeting, city planners say: "The existing car parks within the hospital grounds are operating at close to capacity during times of peak demand.

"The proposal is considered acceptable and will not prejudice the overall aims of the Northern General Hospital Travel Plan."