PROJECT OUTLINE
To advise on site selection and get planning permission for a world-class hospital- following two failed schemes by others, after almost 10 years of work. The client appointed Temple to lead the planning strategy and planning applications for the development of this £800m world-class, fully integrated, 21st century hospital on the Island of Jersey. Temple was delighted to achieve planning permission in May 2022, having acted as Expert Witness at a week-long Public Inquiry, within a very experienced design team and in a form incorporating the mitigation through conditions and planning obligations that we had proposed and drafted: the planning permission being the most significant piece of civic architecture that the Island is likely to see.
The Planning Inspector said that ‘…the applicant has demonstrated that an extremely thorough and creative exploration of site strategy options has been undertaken…….’ and …’The result is an undisputedly high-quality healthcare campus, with contemporary buildings in an attractive landscaped setting, which would enable patients and people within the hospital building to enjoy a very pleasant, indeed quite stunning, environment…’. As far back as 2012 the States Assembly in publishing ‘Health and Social Services: A New Way Forward’ had sought planning permission for the Island Hospital by 2014”[1]. The prolonged delay of a new hospital has significantly increased running costs, standards of care, and recruitment and retention of clinical and professional staff whilst the existing health estate continues to deteriorate; the oldest part of which dates back to 1765.
The site of the Overdale Hospital site was approved by the States Assembly in 2020, following the site selection work of the design team, as the preferred site for a new hospital following an extensive evaluation of alternative site options.
OUR SERVICES
Based on our experience in leading large infrastructure projects, including hospitals and the delivery of clinical accommodation, we led the multidisciplinary design team in the proper application of planning policy in the new Island Plan. An essential part of this was understanding the importance of integrating new development and clinical space within its landscape and its response to planning policy.
OUR ROLE
Temple drove the planning strategy from inception and design changes at RIBA Stage 2, by maximising opportunities to enhance biodiversity, and landscape as well as improving accessibility, enhancing art and heritage assets, and job creation. Inspiration from Jersey’s unique landscape character, natural elements, and heritage are embedded in the design, co-driven by Llewelyn Davies, LDA, and Urban Counsel.
OUR VALUE
Temple worked collaboratively with the dedicated Our Hospital Project team and the Design and Delivery Partner ROK FCC JV. The team led the planning strategy from Inception to help develop plans for this modern, fit for purpose, sustainable hospital facility that offers world-class views for patients across St. Helier, meeting the current and future needs of patients, clinicians, healthcare staff, and visitors.
We have washed away a very turgid and difficult planning history for Jersey’s new hospital, bringing clarity to the Island’s spatial planning strategy and a future for its aging healthcare estate.
