AN £11m new maternity unit for Barrow is facing objections amid claims that the plans do not show how ongoing parking and drainage issues will be addressed.

The University Hospitals of Morcambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust is proposing to create a state-of-the-art new maternity facility at Furness General Hospital.

The plan is a direct response for the trust to be compliant with the Kirkup Report and recommendations of the Care Quality Commission to improve the physical environment of the labour ward, which is more than 30 years old.

The trust wants to build a two-storey extension to the north of the existing maternity department. It will consist of a 14-bed maternity unit, a four-bed special baby care unit, two dedicated theatres with staff and patient accommodation.

Barrow Borough Council planning committee will consider the application on Wednesday and also has a site visit.

The authority has said "the matter has been agreed as an urgent item given the important public interest and that consideration at a latter planning committee could delay the project."

Cumbria County Council, as Highways Authority and Lead Local Flood authority has said it "objects to the proposal as it stands" and "requests further information regarding parking, access, existing flood risk and drainage".

The county council has told the borough council that: "The new development must not compound the existing problem of on-street parking at this location to the detriment of road safety and the free flow of traffic."

A resident of Portland Crescent said: "There is insufficient parking for the current staff and visitors to FGH. I feel that additional parking being provided should be included as a condition of this proposed extension."

The county council wanted more details about vehicle and pedestrian access and new public roads within the site, how the trust would manage the "high risk of flooding from surface water" and details of a sustainable urban drainage scheme.

In his report, planning case officer Charles Wilton, said the facility "clearly represents a matter of major public benefit".

Mr Wilton said the parking, access and existing flood risk could be addressed through setting conditions and only the surface water drainage issue could amount to a reason for refusal.

Mr Wilton said the trust has been advised of the importance of developing a SUD scheme in time for the meeting. He said that if the SUD is resolved the recommendation would be to grant permission subject to conditions.

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