The Panel will receive a presentation on the Hospitals Redevelopment Programme.
Minutes:
The Chair welcomed representatives from the Leicester University Hospitals Trust and their Architectural representatives.
It was noted that the timetable for the application would be that the outline application would be submitted by the end of January. The outstanding matters would be submitted in May. It was stated that the Panel would receive a further presentation on more detailed matters at the March meeting.
It was explained that Conservation plans had been undertaken at the General Hospital and Royal Infirmary sites. These were to assess the quality of the historic buildings on the sites. The social and historical significance of the buildings was considered, not just the architectural. Consideration was also given to the possibility of listing the North Eldington Infirmary building on the general site and the extent of the boundary of the listed building on the Royal Infirmary site.
It was noted that the building on the General site was not considered to be of listable quality, but it did retain a number of attractive features. It was intended to retain this building.
As part of the consideration of the boundary of the listed building, the significance of the Chapel was considered. It was noted that a balancing consideration needed to be given to modern clinical needs and retaining historic buildings. A catalogue had been made of the fixtures and fittings contained within the chapel and it was intended that these would remain on site.
The plans for the three sites were along the following lines:-
At the Glenfield Hospital it was intended to retain the mansion in the centre of the site. Clinical accommodation would be doubled at the site. A new building would be provided on the existing car park. Three storey blocks would be built for a new women’s hospital and for renal and general medical. A new lab building would be built for cardio research. There would be a two storey car park for staff. The existing hospital would be refurbished.
At the General Hospital site it was intended to keep the 1903 building as the central building. The original entrance to the at the south of the building would be re-used. New space for further developments on the site was sought and it is intended to use the existing car park and a small part of the site that could be demolished. The centre for planned care and rehabilitation would be on the site. The existing women’s wards would become the administration buildings which would be away from public areas. Teaching facilities would also be developed on the site.
At the Royal Infirmary site it was intended to build a new children’s hospital. This would need to be near the Accident and Emergency department, which would be why the chapel would need to be demolished. It was also planned to rationalise the car parking, including a new multi storey car park. It was generally proposed to remove the bad architecture from the site and bring a more ordered layout.
More detail on these proposals would be provided at the March meeting.
Members of the Panel expressed doubt that the artefacts from the Chapel would remain on the Royal Infirmary site. Concerns were also expressed that patients spiritual needs would not be catered for. Hospital representatives commented that it was intended to retain artefacts on site wherever possible. A full assessment on how this was to be done was yet to take place. Members of the Panel recommended that conditions be put on the planning application ensuring that it did take place.
Members of the Panel enquired about a mitigation strategy for the chapel. It was noted that a number of groups would be interested in the features of the chapel and what would happen to them in the future. Hospital representatives stated that a meeting took place last year with the League of Nurses, out of which came the request to catalogue the artefacts in the chapel. The follow up meeting on a way forward was yet to happen. It wouldn’t be dealt with until March. The conservation plans would be produced at the Panel would be welcome to consider them. Discussions have been held with the Bishop of Leicester on a suitable way forward.
Members of the Panel queried about the plans for a replacement chapel. Hospital representatives explained that the plans were being drawn up to create a Christian and multi faith facility at the centre of the site. A working group was considering the detail of this proposal.
Members of the Panel asked about the elements of the general hospital that would be retained and whether original features could be returned where they have been lost. There would be some losses to the original building where there had been widescale alterations, but retention where possible was considered important. The conservation plan recommends that where possible, original features should be returned. The Panel felt that the important issue with this building was that surrounding buildings didn’t drown it out. It noted that the building would be flanked by car parking.
The Chair thanked the Hospital representatives for their attendance and commented that he looked forward to their return in March.