TIME is running out for people to have their say on resubmitted plans for a new £2.6 million neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Cheshire West and Chester Council's (CWaC) planning committee is expected to hear the revised proposal at its next meeting on Tuesday, December 4.

The deadline for comments on the application, which can be made through the council's website, is on Monday, November 26.

CWaC's planning committee rejected the original application 5:4 after chairman Cllr Gill Watson cast the deciding vote against the plans.

It came after a resident of Bache Hall Estate claimed the new unit at the rear of the current women’s and children’s building would block sunlight to her back garden.

Lesley Woodhead, head of fundraising at the hospital, told The Standard the revised plans would see the unit brought almost a metre back from the woman’s garden.

She said: “We have tried to address the concerns from the previous application by softening the appearance of the unit with an alternative brick and landscaping, sliding the unit 800mm away from the boundary fence and improved visuals without altering the required layout of the unit.”

The total cost of the proposed new unit is £2.6 million. Of this, £1.8 million would be gifted by the Countess charity to the NHS trust that runs the hospital and £600,000 was spent on running the appeal and its associated costs.

Money was raised through the Babygrow Appeal over around five years. Major events in the city that have helped raise cash for the new unit include the Santa Dash, Duck Race, and MBNA Chester Marathon.

  • Those wishing to make a comment should visit pa.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk and search for the application, using reference number 18/04270/FUL.