REDEVELOPMENT plans for the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton are set to be approved by planners to make way for the expansion of clinical services with a new cancer care centre.

A scheme to replace a large area of the existing car park, moving it to the front of the hospital, is being considered by Hambleton council’s planning committee on Thursday January 5.

Agents for the South Tees Hospital Trust say this would make way for the new cancer care centre which has been approved by the Foundation Trust’s Board and MacMillan Cancer Support’s Board.

Local residents on Priory Close have expressed concern. They had asked for a wall to be built around the site to protect them from anti social behaviour and noise. A hedge is being put in instead and improvements have been made to the lighting scheme. The work will involve demolition of storage and security buildings and expansion of the car park with space for 72 cars and three motorbikes, an increase of 22 spaces.

Senior Planning Officer Kevin Ayrton is recommending that councillors approve the scheme. In a report he said plans for the cancer care centre are expected to be the subject of public consultation and a planning application in the next month.

He added:” The proposed development would serve the current Hospital use and help facilitate wider plans to develop clinical provision. Therefore the principle of development is considered to fully accord with the aims and objectives of planning policy, which encourages sustainable forms of development; and the retention and enhancement of existing services.”

Archaeological excavations are due to take place before the works is done, because the area is on the site of an important historic Carmelite priory.