PLANS for a new, three-storey diagnostic and outpatient facility at Yeovil District Hospital have been submitted.

The scheme would see the new building constructed on a current hospital car park, off Higher Kingston Road, on the town centre site.

A planning application has been submitted to Somerset Council by Berrys, on behalf of Prime (UK) Developments Limited.

It says the scheme ‘will provide crucial facilities for existing services that the hospital offers’.

“The new diagnostic and outpatient facility will allow patients to be treated more efficiently, which will reduce waiting times and the time patients spend at the hospital,” it said.

How the new building at Yeovil Hospital could look

As part of the design, a pedestrian subway to the west of the proposed development would be retained as as a public right of way.

The scheme would ‘form a natural extension to the hospital-built form’, the application said.

READ MORE: Anger as outpatients have to travel to Taunton – not Yeovil
READ MORE: High-tech help on offer at Yeovil Hospital

Construction would take place on the lower half of a car park, with the upper half recently developed to provide a new theatre building.

The 650-space multi-storey car park on the site was ‘designed to free up spaces on the hospital estate for future developments’, the plan added.

“The (proposed) car park site is located in a perfect location for the development as it is close to the main hospital buildings and is easily accessible for staff and patients,” it went on.

Another view of the proposed new building at Yeovil Hospital

Planning documents also outline the planned use for the building.

“There will be provision at the ground floor to have a reception with service providers delivering diagnostic services,” they said.

“The first floor provides outpatient’s and audiology consultation and treatment rooms, and the second floor offers additional staff spaces for meetings, training and welfare.”

The scheme is now set to be considered by Somerset Council planners, after a public consultation.

For more details, and to comment on the scheme, log on to www.somerset.gov.uk and search for application reference 23/02238/FUL.