An artists impression of phase one of the REH campus development with work set to start later this year.
An artists impression of phase one of the REH campus development with work set to start later this year.

A project which will take around 10 years to complete was given the planning green light yesterday.

The project to redevelop the Royal Edinburgh Hospital can now move forward.

Plans for construction of the first phase which ought to be built by 2016, along with the full masterplan for the site were unanimously approved at a City of Edinburgh Council planning committee hearing yesterday.

The news comes just a week after the project received outline business case approval from the Scottish Government.

Phase one of the developments include a new £48-million facility providing services for the adult acute mental health inpatient service, older people’s mental health assessment unit, Intensive Psychiatric Care Service (IPCU) and new Robert Fergusson national brain injury unit.

David Small, Chair of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital Project Board, NHS Lothian, said: “We are delighted that the project has now received full planning consent.

“A lot of hard work has gone into reaching this important stage in the project and, while we are not yet at a stage to begin construction, it does represent a significant milestone with the plans to redevelop the site.

“We will now develop a Full Business Case which we anticipate submitting for Scottish Government approval in September this year. Subject to approval of this and financial close, we anticipate beginning work on-site by the end of this year.

“Throughout this process we have involved, listened to and taken on board the views of patients, staff and the public and we are confident that our plans will deliver an excellent mental healthcare facility.”

The redevelopment of the hospital site is being undertaken in partnership with Hub South East Scotland. As our development partner, Hub South East , has been involved from the start of the project and has appointed Morrison Construction as the main contractor to build the new facilities.

Paul McGirk, Chief Executive of Hub South East Scotland, said: “We’ve been involved in this project from the beginning, so it’s exciting to reach this major milestone and we look forward to continuing our successful partnership with NHS Lothian and making these plans a reality.”

Health Secretary Alex Neil said: “Having the right facilities in the right place is important to people across Scotland and the Royal Edinburgh Hospital is a prime example of how continued investment in our NHS is benefiting patients.

“I am delighted this development has reached this important milestone. Investment in health is a top priority for the Scottish Government and we have committed to spending over £2-billion on improving NHS infrastructure over four years.”

The redevelopment of the campus is planned to be undertaken in phased stages beginning with phase one, subject to full business case approval and financial close.

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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
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