New car park proposed at Musgrove Park Hospital

As part of the national New Hospitals Programme (NHP) Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is proposing to build a decked car park at Musgrove Park Hospital.

This development is part of the wider New Hospital Programme (NHP) investment which was awarded to Musgrove Park Hospital due to the age of some of the current healthcare facilities which date back to the 40s and 50s.

The proposed car park will release land within the Musgrove site for development to replace those buildings in the future. As well as being part of the NHP, the car park is part of the planning conditions of the surgical centre to reinstate spaces removed due to the buildings footprint. The car park has been designed as a decked building, making best use of the space available.

The car park will be built on the site of the car park adjacent to Day Surgery (Duchess 2 car park), used in the main by trust colleagues.

It will replace car parking spaces that have been suspended due to site developments, including 140 that need to be re-introduced for the surgical centre. The spaces will be available to colleagues, patients, and visitors.

The trust is looking to work with local residents to gain feedback on the plans before a planning application is submitted in February.

In particular the trust is looking for feedback from residents on the visual impact of the building as well as the appearance of the building itself.

Feedback gathered from residents will be submitted along with the planning application.

The trust is holding a drop-in session to view the plans and create an opportunity to ask any questions about the scheme on Wednesday 7 February between 3:30pm and 7pm at the Taunton Conference Centre, Bridgwater and Taunton College.

“This is excellent news for patients, visitors and colleagues of Musgrove Park Hospital and an important part of our future plans improving healthcare in Somerset.

“While we have been improving our facilities car parking spaces have been lost and its important that these are restored to improve the experience of our patients, visitors and colleagues alike.

“We look forward to hearing from residents and allaying any concerns they may have to progress the planning application and this development.” Says Ian Boswall, director of redevelopment at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.

As well as engaging with residents the trust is working with colleagues to minimise the disruption to parking while construction takes place.

Wednesday 7 February, 3:30pm to 7pm

Taunton Conference Centre Bridgwater and Taunton College Wellington Road Taunton Somerset TA1 5AX

Musgrove Park Hospital site plan, proposed car park indicated in red

Cropped site plan of Musgrove Park Hospital

Side elevation plans

Landscape strategy of proposed car park