A COUNCILLOR who voted to reject plans for a new £2.6 million neonatal unit in Chester has said she is "surprised" by the planning committee’s overall decision to refuse the application.

Conservative Jill Houlbrook, who represents the Upton ward, was the one who ‘called in’ the proposals for the baby unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

She was acting on “concerns about the impact on residential amenities of the nearby neighbouring properties”, according to Cheshire West and Chester Council documents.

One resident of Bache Hall Estate, which backs onto the proposed site, made a speech to the committee on Tuesday last week claiming the new facility would block sunlight to her garden.

Members then controversially voted to reject the plans with the casting vote going to chairman Cllr Gill Watson (Labour).

The Standard asked Cllr Houlbrook whether she stood by her vote, to which she responded: “I feel I acted correctly in representing the residents. I am very surprised however by the committee decision to refuse the application.”

Meanwhile, a petition started by mum Niamh Hocking urging CWaC to overturn the decision has gained the support of more than 13,500 people.

Lesley Woodhead, head of fundraising at the Countess, said there were a number of meetings planned at the hospital this week to decide how best to proceed.

She also clarified the figures associated with the new unit after some suggested on social media that it would only cost £1.8 million to build when the Babygrow Appeal raised £2.4 million over almost five years.

The total cost of the proposed unit - which would be an extension of the current maternity unit - is £2.6 million.

Of this, £1.8 million has been gifted by the Countess charity to the NHS trust that runs the hospital with the remaining £600,000 having been spent on running the appeal and its associated costs over the years.

Lesley said she was concerned any delays would only add to the total cost of the building.

The existing neonatal unit was built in 1974 and its design is said to have become out-dated.

The planned new building would not only be packed with life-saving technology, it would also focus on providing space, privacy and as much comfort as possible for babies and their families.

It is also said to be the first unit in the country to be designed with “family integrated care”.

* To view the petition, visit www.change.org/p/chester-overturn-the-decision-to-reject-neonatal-expansion