A HOSPITAL has applied for planning permission to provide extra car parking spaces for staff and visitors.

The volume of traffic at Darlington Memorial Hospital has prompted managers to apply to Darlington Borough Council to provide an extra 57 spaces for vehicles.

South Durham Health Care and NHS Trust has chosen a grassed area near the war memorial as a suitable area for the extra parking spaces. It has consulted with the British Legion over the plans, and as part of the proposals, the trust has agreed to put a fence around the memorial so the car park does not intrude on commemorative events such as the Remembrance Sunday service.

Kevin Oxley, head of estates at South Durham Health Care and NHS Trust, said the extra car parking was essential.

"The reality of the situation is that we are struggling to cope with the numbers of people who park on the main hospital site," he said.

"The problems have been compounded by the introduction of a residents' only parking scheme near the hospital."

Barbara Frankland, who chairs the women's section of the British Legion in Darlington, confirmed that it had been consulted and was happy with the proposals.