We have selected the site proposed for the new extension because we need to ensure services in their new location remain close to other services in the building that relate to them.
The Special Care Baby Unit and Maternity ward both need to be close to the Delivery Suite and operating theatres. The land to the rear of Rockingham Wing is the only area available that enables these links.
A thorough site analysis was conducted to decide on the best potential location for an extension to the Rockingham Wing. Due to the constraints of linking into the existing building and the need for clinical areas to be as close as possible to each other, there was only one viable location for expansion. This location was to the site outlined in red above. Whilst it is much appreciated that this area of the Hospital estate borders neighbouring residential properties, it is the only location that offers the right mix of site area, accessibility and maintains the potential to fit with the future site masterplan. This area also has excellent natural light with a Southern aspect, is accessible from the Trusts existing fire access pathway and crucially avoids the requirement to move patients into temporary accommodation.
The site is currently overtaken by a soil mound with a fenced boundary dominated by invasive Leylandii trees. These trees themselves are also well above the usual 2m high hedging limitations set by councils within the UK.
The new design attempts to not only expand the capacity of the Rockingham Wing to meet the needs of the population of Kettering, it should also offer the opportunity to help more locally by reworking the boundary condition, removing the Leylandii and reinstating a more suitable and native screening solution in the form of higher quality trees and fencing. These upgrades would impact upon the residents along Windermere road, in particular the homes from 62-74 whose rear gardens border on the hospital site boundary.