Plans for extension to Warrington Hospital's A&E approved

Warrington Borough Council has granted planning permission for the proposals, which involve a two-storey extension to the Appleton wing at the south side of the Lovely Lane site.

Around a dozen extra beds – situated on the ground floor – are set to be created for emergency department admissions as a result, while the first-floor will consist of office space and facilities for staff.

It will represent the biggest physical upgrade to the hospital’s A&E for around 20 years.

The extension will be partially built on the existing access road in this corner of the estate, and the route would be resituated as a result.

Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s submission stated: “The existing Appleton building was originally constructed in the early 1970s to provide outpatient services for Warrington.

“Over the past 50 years, there have been several amendments to the existing building – both internally and externally and perhaps most notably to the west facing elevation, where a single-storey extension to the A&E department was constructed in the early 2000s.

“The proposed flat roof extension will be nominally two-storey to the south of the existing Appleton building.

“On the roof would be a recessed, enclosed plant space – making the overall proposals three storeys to the extent of the plant room.

“The improved facilities that would be provided should the application gain approval are currently within the ground floor accommodation of the Appleton building.

“It is deemed by the trust, however, that given the current demands on this accommodation it would be better to provide improved accommodation to allow future internal amendments in order to allow facilities at Warrington Hospital to meet current and future demands.

“The proposed extension forms part of a potential multi-phase development aimed at providing facilities capable of meeting current and future demands within the emergency department at Warrington Hospital.”