THE leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council has asked council officers to work with hospital chiefs to ensure plans for a new neonatal unit in the city can go ahead.

Cllr Samantha Dixon (Labour) has weighed in after the planning application was controversially rejected by the authority’s planning committee last Tuesday.

The Countess of Chester Hospital’s charity team had been ready to celebrate with a sod-cutting ceremony on the proposed site the next day.

But they’ve had to go back to the drawing board after councillors narrowly voted against the plan based on the objection of one resident.

Annmarie Jones, of Bache Hall Estate, which backs onto the proposed site, made a speech to the committee claiming the new facility would have a “catastrophic impact”, blocking sunlight to her garden.

Money to pay for the lion’s share of the £2.6 million unit was raised over almost five years through the Babygrow Appeal, backed by its media partner The Standard.

Cllr Dixon said in a statement today: “I have been a supporter of the Baby Grow Appeal for many years both as a public member of the Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust Hospital and as a former non-executive director of the Trust. Cheshire West and Chester Council supports the Countess of Chester Hospital’s ambitions to expand its neo-natal services.

“It is the role of the planning committee to independently examine the consequences of a planning application on a neighbourhood. However, it is also really important we ensure much-needed investment in our local NHS facilities can proceed for the benefit of the whole community.

“I have therefore asked council officers to work together with the hospital to address the concerns raised, so that an acceptable proposal can be brought back to the committee as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, a petition started by mum Niamh Hocking urging the council to overturn the decision has gained the support of more than 14,500 people.