Letter: Just How Did GBC Help The Royal Surrey Build Its Isolation Ward?

Published on: 15 Jun, 2020
Updated on: 15 Jun, 2020

Isolation Ward RSCH

From Jules Cranwell

In response to: GBC Helps the Royal Surrey Build Covid-19 Isolation Ward in Record Time

It is not clear from the article precisely how GBC helped, apart from not getting involved, and not getting in their way?

GBC was asked to respond.

This is the reply from Cllr Caroline Reeves, leader of the council.  “On March 18 we received an urgent, formal request from the Royal Surrey County Hospital for a 24-bed modular building on land at the Royal Surrey County Hospital. It was evident from the letter that it was urgent and required in as short a time frame as possible.

“The planning department wrote to the Chief Executive Louise Stead of the hospital the following day and advised that due to the pandemic crisis and urgent need there would be no time to go through the normal planning process. As a council, we have a shared responsibility in proceeding with the hospital’s plans.

“Officers visited prior to the start of works and advised on the status of the trees on the site, none were protected. Our Building Control Team have also advised and made site inspections throughout the time of the project.

“As we are responding to an unprecedented situation at some point in the future we will need to reconsider the modular building and engineering works. There are two options, firstly, the building could be removed later, and any associated material and to return the land to how it was before the Covid-19 outbreak, once the pandemic has fully passed.

“The second option would be to retrospectively apply for the retention of the building (both from a Development Management and Building Control perspective) which would be considered under planning policy, in the normal way.  No enforcement action will take place in this situation because we are a local authority supporting the county’s response to the pandemic.”

“There was no financial support from GBC for this initiative.”

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