Derriford Hospital plans will see operating theatres stay for another decade

Plans to allow two operating theatres at Derriford Hospital to operate for another decade have been submitted. The retention of Freedom Theatres will contribute to wider University Hospitals Plymouth ‘Future Hospital’ objectives, which will safeguard the health and amenity of the local community, the planning application to Plymouth City Council says.

No new physical works are proposed. The proposal relates solely to the retention of two existing temporary operating theatres and supporting facilities for a further period of 10 years, a statement with the planning application reads.

The two theatres are sited adjacent to the ‘Freedom’ Day Case Unit; they may be commonly referred to as the ‘Freedom Theatres’. The location of the theatres allows them to share the existing support and technical facilities of Freedom Day Case Unit

The theatres were first put in place in 2008 and were granted temporary planning permission with a condition that the site be returned to its former use no later than 31st December 2012.

An application to vary the timescale condition was submitted in 2012 which extended the time until 28th February 2018. A further application was submitted in January 2018 to further extend the time period before the building must be removed. Permission was granted on 14th March 2018, extending the time period to 28th February 2023.

However, no further application was made to vary the original timescale condition, resulting in the 2018 permission lapsing, and the current theatres technically being unlawful with no planning permission in place.

This new application for full planning permission therefore seeks authorisation to retain the building for a temporary period of 10 years.

A planning statement says: “The retention of Freedom Theatres will contribute to wider University Hospitals Plymouth ‘Future Hospital’ objectives, which will safeguard the health and amenity of the local community, as well as the city and surroundings, through enabling the Trust to provide upgraded health and emergency care facilities at Plymouth’s main hospital site.

“The two temporary theatres and support spaces which continues support and technical facilities of Freedom Day Case Unit have proved to be a great asset and addition to Derriford Hospital since it was granted permission and built in 2007.

“There are no significant ground condition, flooding, or drainage concerns and retention of the theatres for a period of 10 years will help University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust to maintain and enhance the level of care and facilities that they offer to the local community and further afield from Derriford Hospital.”

Plymouth City Council planners will determine the fate of all the new applications listed below at a later date. Below is the full latest list of planning applications that have been submitted this week.

Plymouth planning list

· Change of use from glass storage/cutting to vehicle servicing- 2 Market Close Plymouth PL1 3SY - https://planning.plymouth.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=SNAGU6MML6K00&activeTab=summary

· Proposed single storey rear extension - 31 Kingswood Park Avenue Plymouth PL3 4NQ - https://planning.plymouth.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=SNAQJCMML6U00&activeTab=summary

· Proposed conversion of garage into a single bedroom - 2 The Grove Stoke Plymouth PL3 4AL - https://planning.plymouth.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=SN9FCNMML6G00&activeTab=summary

· Formation of room in roof with rear dormer - 14 Castleton Close Plymouth PL3 5AE - https://planning.plymouth.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=SN7CBIMML5A00&activeTab=summary

· Pre-application to install a temporary sculpture - 10 Tavistock Place Plymouth PL4 8AX - https://planning.plymouth.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=SN7B1IMM08O00&activeTab=summary

· New single storey rear extension and new two-storey side extension - 76 Seymour Road Mannamead Plymouth PL3 5AZ - https://planning.plymouth.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=SN3HFLMML3M00&activeTab=summary

· Shop front alterations - 26 - 28 Cornwall Street City Centre Plymouth PL1 1LP - https://planning.plymouth.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=SN00FQMML2000&activeTab=summary

· Non-material amendment: To change external wall finish from spar dash to facing bricks - 110 Furneaux Road Plymouth PL2 3EY - https://planning.plymouth.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=SMY8K9MML1A00&activeTab=summary

· Proposed installation of timber shelter, fixed seating, lighting and televisions within pub garden area - 291 Ham Drive Plymouth PL2 3NH - https://planning.plymouth.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=SMWDVFMML0200&activeTab=summary

· Erection of 2no 'self-build' semi-detached dwellings - Land Rear Of Coles Cottages Lucas Lane Plymouth PL7 4AP - https://planning.plymouth.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=SML8JVMMKUH00&activeTab=summary

· Retention of two operating theaters and associated works for a period of 10 years - Derriford Hospital Derriford Road Plymouth PL6 8DH - https://planning.plymouth.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=SKQ57FMMJV700&activeTab=summary

· Pre-application for replacement of existing industrial buildings - Cattedown Wharves Cattedown Road Cattedown Plymouth PL4 0RP - https://planning.plymouth.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=SJLGDNMM05L00&activeTab=summary

· Garden terrace over existing garage (retrospective) - 14 Baylys Road Plymouth PL9 7NQ - https://planning.plymouth.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=SHY2GOMMIJV00&activeTab=summary

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