Residents’ open event to discuss new electrical sub-station plans
The University and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust are proposing to build a much-needed new electrical sub-station on part of a brown field site currently used as parking for hospital staff.
The new building will house the switches and transformers needed to ensure both Leeds General Infirmary and the University of Leeds’ main campus have a reliable electricity supply which is large enough to meet their future needs.
The site is located at the junction of Clarendon Way and Hyde Street near the University’s Worsley Building and on the edge of the Leeds General Infirmary site. At the moment it provides spaces for around 70 cars.
Simon Neville, Director of strategy and planning at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, said: “The construction of this sub-station and the increased electrical capacity it will provide at Leeds General Infirmary is vital. It will ensure that we can provide the best possible patient care both now and in the foreseeable future, as demand on the electricity grid which serves the hospital increases over time.”
Designed by local architects Farrell & Clark of Horsforth, the building is intended to sit on the upper part of the current car park with measures being taken to minimise its visual effect on its surroundings. Particular attention will be paid to planting on the site which will be used to soften the outline of the new building.
During the building work, plans are in place to find alternative parking for those staff affected. In the longer term, as the building will not fill the whole site, what remains will be resurfaced as a smaller car park with around 30 spaces.
It is the intention of both organisations to apply to Leeds City Council for planning permission to build the new facility in the near future. However, prior to submission, plans can be viewed by local residents and other interested parties at an open event where comments will be welcome. This will be held on Wednesday 27 May between 2pm and 7pm in Swarthmore Education Centre.
Representatives from Leeds Teaching Hospitals, the University of Leeds and Farrell & Clark will be all on hand to discuss the proposal. Display boards illustrating the building, its layout and other supporting information will be available on the day for comments, and everyone interested is welcome to come along.