District Hospital, Swindon
DPDS were appointed as town planning, landscape and environmental consultants by Carillion Special Projects who won the PFI contract for building the new Swindon Hospital. A Greenfield site and edge-of-town location combined with the misgivings of many objectors concerning PFI Funding of NHS schemes meant that the application raised strong passions for and against. DPDS submitted the Planning Application and Environmental Statement only 15 weeks after instruction. Following approval DPDS undertook negotiation and framing of a complex Section 106 Agreement dealing with off-site highway works, landscaping and public transport subsidies. DPDS Architecture was subsequently appointed for a number of peripheral site projects including the design and procurement of a 60 bed specialist care facility adjacent to the main hospital.Upon completion and occupation of the hospital DPDS successfully negotiated and gained approval for a treatment centre comprising 128 beds and 5 operating theatres (one of only two in the south west). DPDS continues to manage the planning elements of the site with adjacent park and ride proposals and future expansion land allocations.
Key Factors
- Site identification and evaluation of options
- Early presentation of case to Council
- Achievement of support to development
- Successful fast track development programme
