Planning permission secured for construction of new Leeds hospital facility

Outline permission has been secured by a planning consultant for the development of a pathology facility in Leeds.

Lichfields, based in Newcastle, has confirmed permission on behalf of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust for the development of a “state-of-the-art” pathology facility at the St James’s University Hospital.

The new facility will serve hospitals across Leeds, West Yorkshire and neighbouring areas.

Demolition of old buildings on the St James’s site is expected to begin later this year with the new facility scheduled to be completed in the Spring of 2023.

Jonathan Standen, Lichfields’ planning director, commented: “We are delighted to have contributed in delivering planning permission for another world-class healthcare facility in support of the Building the Leeds Way programme.

“The delivery of permissions for both the new pathology facility at St. James’s Hospital and last year, the new Adults and Children hospitals at the Leeds General Infirmary, demonstrate the capability of Lichfields to deliver across a range of projects.”

Phillip Wood, Chief Medical Officer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and a Consultant Immunologist said: “I am delighted that this new facility has been given the go ahead by Leeds City Council and appreciate the efforts of Lichfields in securing this.

“The Trust is a world-leader in Pathology and this new state-of-the art facility will enable staff and partners to work in a bespoke environment that reflects and enhances the leading-edge services they provide.

“Demand for Pathology services has continued to grow from year to year and has played an absolutely vital role in the current coronavirus outbreak.”