Planning application submitted for decked car parking

Details of proposals to increase car parking capacity at Northampton General Hospital have been submitted in a planning application.

The application for permission to erect a single-storey decked car park has been submitted to Northampton Borough Council.

The proposals are for a one-storey structure to be laid on top of current spaces in car park 1, the hospital’s main car park. 

NGH Director of Facilities and Capital Development, Charles Abolins said: “Our car parking issues are well documented; we have a finite amount of parking spaces on site and limited options in terms of increasing that capacity. 

“A decked car park will alleviate the pressure to some extent although we have to be realistic about the fact that there will always be more demand than capacity on the hospital site.  We will however be able to considerably improve the availability of parking for our patients, and visitors as well as our hospital staff.”

Councillor David Mackintosh, Leader of Northampton Borough Council said: “Extending the parking provision at Northampton General Hospital can only be good for patients, visitors and staff. When arriving at hospital, for whatever reason, the last thing you want to think about is where to park. So I am pleased to see these plans come forward to provide more spaces.”

Although the decking will provide 300 car parking spaces, the overall increase will be 200 spaces as NGH will no longer need to lease 100 spaces at nearby Midsummer Meadow car park.

Subject to planning consent, the £1.4million structure could be built and operational by the end of July this year. 

The application will be dealt with as a delegated responsibility by council officers and a decision is expected by 24th April. The application can be viewed on the borough council’s website