Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital could move to a new, modern home on the site of HMRC’s huge Longbenton offices – if an ambitious council vision becomes reality.
The massive ‘Ministry’ complex at Benton Park View is soon to be vacated, with thousands of civil servants due to be moved to a £155m development in Newcastle city centre by 2027. And, with questions over what the future will hold for the major employment hub, a top councillor has revealed that he wants to see the nearby Freeman relocated there.
Alex Hay, Newcastle City Council’s cabinet member responsible for jobs and economic development, said on Thursday that the “fantastic” hospital needed modernising and confirmed he had held talks with the Government about a potential new building. He suggested that a new-build hospital on the neighbouring Ministry site would allow the Freeman to remain open and its services continue uninterrupted through the construction, rather than patients being disturbed by major renovations at the current site, though he admitted that the idea may not be achievable.
At an overview and scrutiny committee meeting, Dene and South Gosforth councillor Wendy Taylor asked Coun Hay what the future could hold for Benton Park View - -saying that locals were “very concerned” about so many jobs leaving the area.
He replied: "I have a vision in my head for what I would love to see that [HMRC] site used for. To be honest, I don't know whether it's achievable.
"We have a fantastic hospital in the Freeman sitting behind that site, but we know it needs renovation – it is not currently as good as it could look. It is a brilliant hospital, but it needs to be modernised. [I would like] to have that hospital to remain open and [therefore] allow a new hospital to be built on the HMRC site.
"I don't know if it is achievable but I have mentioned it and I have had discussions with the Department of Health. It is something I would love to see."
The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals Trust, which runs the Freeman and the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI), was contacted for a comment.
The suggestion of a new home for the Freeman comes as plans for a new children’s heart unit to be built at the RVI are set to be approved by councillors next week. Hospital chiefs have also lodged a £190m bid to the Government to construct a new ‘Richardson Wing’ at the RVI, in the hope of replacing facilities that are in urgent need of upgrades as they “fall short of required building and clinical standards”.
HMRC announced in summer 2021 that it would be leaving Benton Park View, where tens of thousands of civil servants have been employed since the 1940s. Workers will be moved to a massive ‘Pilgrim’s Quarter’ office complex being built in the heart of Newcastle, the biggest office development in the history of the city centre.
Read More:
- Northumberland council leader wants 'urgent' talks with Rishi Sunak over future of Britishvolt factory
- 'Relentless focus' on answering 999 calls after Northumbria Police told to improve response times
- Plea to protect 'vital lifeline' bus in Newcastle after axed route given five-month reprieve
- Government urged to save Gateshead Leisure Centre – but councillor warns 'drastic' action needed
- New chief executive at troubled Northumberland County Council set to pocket £199,000 salary
