New community hospital given go-ahead (From Times Series)

Finchley Memorial Hospital plans get green light despite parking fears

10:54am Thursday 21st January 2010 in Top Stories By Alex Hayes

PLANS for a new £40m hospital to replace the crumbling Finchley Memorial Hospital were given the go-ahead last night by council planning chiefs despite reservations of some residents.

The redevelopment of the 3.7 hectare site, which includes playing fields which have lain dormant for more than a decade will be ready by 2012.

Neil McElduff, the senior officer on the project for NHS Barnet, told Barnet Council's planing committee the work will ensure “high quality healthcare for residents in the area.

He added: “It's been an aspiration of the local community for a number of years. The existing hospital is no longer fit for purpose and we need to make sure residents of the area have access to high quality facilities.”

He told councillors the building has an excellent green rating and said there would be a number of GP practices moved to the new buildings, which will be constructed before the old one is ripped down.

However, one local resident voiced concerns about the new plans, which would see a new car park built behind his garden.

Andrew Costas, of Granville Road, told the committee: “No-one is arguing about the need for improved facilities, but I feel personally not enough thought has been given to residents because we will become an island surrounded by traffic.

“We're told we're entitled to quiet enjoyment of our homes, but we will not have that if these plans go through.

“A great opportunity is being lost if a more sensitive development is not built.”

Mike Dawson of the Finchley Society also cast doubt on the numbers used to work out 116 parking spaces would be needed to accommodate staff, patients and visitors at the 54-room centre.

He added: “Please do not let the residents of today and the patients of tomorrow be let down by not having anywhere to park.”

Councillor Alan Schneiderman also spoke out on behalf of residents in Bow Lane and Granville Place saying: “Many of these residents suffer from traffic problems already, we should take the opportunity to make these things better, not worse.”

In response Mr McElduff told the committee there would be trees and a soundproof fence put in to screen the building and car park from neighbours, and added the hospital would be 60 metres from the nearest boundary.

The scheme also includes creating new sports pitches for community use, particularly for Our Lady of Lourdes school and a nature park with the left-over green space.

Members of the committee backed the scheme unanimously.