What is “Reserved Matters”?
Reserved Matters is the second stage of the planning process.
Outline planning permission has already been granted. This stage focuses on agreeing how the development looks and works in practice, including building appearance, height, landscaping and parking.
What feedback are you asking for at this stage?
The West Suffolk scheme forms part of the national New Hospital Programme and represents a significant investment in healthcare infrastructure for the local area. As part of this programme, the Trust is adopting the national Hospital 2.0 design approach, which supports quality, safety, consistency and long-term value for patients, while helping to manage delivery risk.
While a number of aspects of the scheme are fixed through outline permission, Hospital 2.0 standards and national technical requirements, the engagement focuses deliberately on areas where there is genuine scope for influence. These include:
- Building heights and appearance
- Access and transport
- Ecology and landscaping
This feedback will help shape the detailed proposals we submit later this spring.
Is this the final design of the hospital?
No.
The designs shown are illustrative and evolving. They help explain the principles and parameters being developed, not a final hospital design.
Why are you consulting now?
We are keen to include staff, patients and members of the community in shaping our design when they can influence aspects, prior to submitting our application.
Will clinical services or layouts change as a result of this consultation?
No.
Clinical models and services are being developed separately with clinical teams. This engagement focuses on external and site-wide matters, not clinical layouts.
Why is the hospital being built at Hardwick Manor?
Hardwick Manor was selected because it:
- Is adjacent to the existing hospital
- Allows services to continue safely during construction
- Provides space for a modern hospital in a landscaped setting
- Means our existing co-located relationships with services such as Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, Busy Bees Nursery and St. Nicholas Hospice can continue
- We can utilise some of our existing estate such as the education centre, staff accommodation block and Quince House which contains administration and our sterile services.
- Outline planning permission for this site was granted in 2023.
How will traffic and parking be managed?
Traffic, access and parking are a key part of this stage.
Work is ongoing with highways specialists and the local authority to develop solutions that are safe, accessible and practical.
How are trees, wildlife and green space being protected?
The site includes protected trees and sensitive habitats.
The proposals aim to:
- Retain key trees and woodland
- Minimise impact on habitats
- Enhance biodiversity and landscape features
Environmental assessments will support the planning submission.
Will you be accessing the new healthcare facility via Hardwick Heath?
Hardwick Heath is a public amenity and the Trust have no authority or desire to use it as a means of access or storage. The Heath has an important role to play in the health and wellbeing of the local community and as such, the Trust has no plans or immediate means to utilise it or decrease its size.
Will modern technologies be reviewed to maximise energy to reduce the impact on natural resources?
This is a key part of the development in terms of the impact on the environment. There is an expectation that all newly developed hospital buildings will have a net zero carbon impact. This will be part of the planning proposal that West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust puts forward.
How does this link to the New Hospital Programme (NHP)?
The new hospital is part of the national New Hospital Programme.
Design work aligns with NHP standards while responding to local site and planning requirements.
What is your budget allocation?
The budget allocation does not form part of this engagement exercise. However, it is within the broad remit announced on the Department of Health and Social Care website earlier this year which is between £1bn - £1.5bn.
What services will be included in the new hospital?
Clinical services do not form part of this engagement. However, the final design is still being developed and will reflect both local, and national, directions of travel as well as national guidance from the New Hospital Programme team.
When will you start building?
We are on track to start construction within the construction commencement window cited on the DHSC website which is between 2027-2028.
What happens next?
Feedback from this engagement will:
- Inform the Reserved Matters application
- Help refine design principles
- Be considered before submission later this spring
Is this statutory consultation?
No, this is early, pre-application engagement and not the statutory planning consultation which the local planning authority will carry out following submission.
Can the overall site or scale change?
No - those were fixed at the outline planning stage.
What happens after this engagement?
Feedback will be reviewed and used to inform refinements before the Reserved Matters application is submitted. Once submitted, the local planning authority will run the statutory consultation.