Telford's Princess Royal Hospital to lose 'unsafe' staff parking spaces for siting of new generator
Telford's hospital is set to lose nine staff parking spaces so its generator can be upgraded.
The erection of a new standby generator at the Princess Royal Hospital will see the facility lose nine staff car parking spaces.
It's all part of an upgrade of the hospital's electrical infrastructure which will facilitate the removal of the potentially dangerous Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) that is above the existing electrical energy centre.
The discovery of RAAC at the town's hospital has seen both the kitchen and Apley restaurant closed since the material was identified in autumn 2023.
According to a planning application submitted to Telford & Wrekin Council, the existing infrastructure was originally installed several decades ago and is "beyond its economic life and no longer compliant with modern regulations".
A design and access statement reads: "The installation of the proposed standby generators at Princess Royal Hospital is an important upgrade to ensure compliance with regulatory standards, improve resilience, and provide reliable standby power to critical hospital departments."
The new standby generator, with associated bulk tanks, is to be located on the rear of the hospital's boiler house - on the site of existing staff car parking.
According to the documents, the existing car park "was poorly and unsafely laid out".
The documents continue: "By adding in the pedestrian crossing and the proposed generator housing, the parking has been improved to modern standards and to the trust requirements."
Approving the plans, a report from Telford & Wrekin Council planning officers said there were alternative options for staff, including a free park and ride, and the loss of spaces were "outweighed by the benefit of the proposal and the energy security it will provide to the hospital".
While the application is for the change of use of 10 car parking spaces, the documents suggest the number of car parking spaces will be reduced from 16 to seven by the work.
The work to remove potentially unsafe concrete, which includes the modernisation of the kitchens and upgrading of restaurant facilities, is set to be carried out in phases and is expected to be completed by spring next year.
A spokesperson for The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) said: “We are pleased to have been allocated multi-million pound funding, to be released in phases, to remove RAAC identified at Princess Royal Hospital. Following extensive surveys, RAAC were identified in the kitchen area and a small, non-clinical compound.
“Our Estates team undertakes regular RAAC monitoring in line with IStructE guidance and has temporary restrictions in place to ensure the safety for everyone.”
The full application and decision notice is available to view online on Telford & Wrekin Council's planning portal using reference number TWC/2025/0068
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