Local NHS submit planning application for new facility in Hinckley but Council Leader asks them to reconsider plans

Cllr Stuart Bray, has urged the NHS to work with him to preserve the historic frontage of Mount Road hospital building in Hinckley.

A plan for a new Day Case Unit in Hinckley has been submitted to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council by the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (LLR ICB).

The proposal is to build the Day Case Unit on the existing Hinckley and District Hospital site.

This unit would cater for a wider range of clinical specialities with speciality services including breast care, general surgery, gynaecology, ophthalmology, orthopaedic surgery, pain management, plastic surgery, podiatric surgery, renal access surgery, urology and vascular surgery.

The Leader of Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, Cllr Stuart Bray, has expressed his disappointment in the plans which show the local NHS would demolish the Victorian cottage hospital.

Councillor Bray, said:“I am writing to you as both Leader of the Borough Council and the local councillor who represents the Mount Road area in Hinckley.

“I want to state from the outset that I warmly welcome improved NHS facilities in the town, many of us have been campaigning for such improvements for decades and believe they are long overdue and are the least our town deserves.

“Having now seen the plans for the new day care centre, I want to express my deep disappointment that they include the demolition of the Victorian cottage hospital which has stood on Mount Road for centuries and is part of my hometown's heritage.

“I cannot believe that it is not possible to retain the older parts of the frontage of the hospital and develop the new modern facilities that residents deserve, behind the Victorian facade.

“Many people have contacted me to express concerns over your plan. I know these concerns will not be new to you as I believe such concerns were raised as part of the public consultation exercise undertaken by the Integrated Care Board.”

“Please could you look at the plans again. I would be more than happy to meet with you and your team to discuss my concerns.

“Finally, I would not be doing my job properly if I didn't also once again repeat my previous public requests that you look in the future at providing a proper walk-in centre / minor injuries unit that other similar size towns have in Hinckley.”

The LLR ICB, said: “The option of retaining the Victorian frontage of the hospital unfortunately would have meant that the business care objectives and clinical requirements for the development of the new facilities would not be met. The proposed materials do include reclaimed bricks from the current building and we consider that the heritage impact of the scheme will be outweighed by the benefits to the public.”

A formal period of consultation is now underway for the public and other interested identified parties to express their views and comment on the planning application, which can be found on the council’s website, application number 25/00461/FUL.