STAFF at Darlington Memorial Hospital may get new car parking facilities. County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust propose to create a new car park with 39 staff spaces and put up a temporary bottle and sharps store.

The Trust has applied for planning permission to demolish their old unused laundry and other recreational and ancillary buildings near Hollyhurst Road, while consulting top architects Devereux Limited.

A spokesperson for the Trust said: “The Trust is working on proposals to build a new energy centre on the Darlington Memorial Hospital site. An open day was held in November last year to collect public feedback on the proposals.

"Currently, the Trust is using a heavy oil system which is outdated and is not as efficient as newer systems. As part of the Trust’s green strategy to cut carbon emissions and save energy, the Trust is submitting plans to Darlington Borough Council for a new energy centre.

"The new centre takes into account carbon regulations and is being planned to replace the existing outdated centre which will be decommissioned once the major improvement work is completed.

"The plans would position the centre on a strip of land behind the Pierremont Unit, adjacent to the Theatres. If the build goes ahead then a small number of staff car parking spaces would be lost.

"To re-establish these car parking spaces the Trust has submitted a separate planning application to Darlington Borough Council to demolish the laundry and auxiliary building on the site. This would also provide the Trust with the opportunity to look at ways to use car parking on the site more efficiently and to consider alternative options such as a park and ride scheme, pool cars for staff and improved cycling provision.”