Plans to demolish and rebuild the entrance at Warwick Hospital to create a "state-of-the-art" facility have been submitted to Warwick District Council.

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust has applied for permission to knock down the existing buildings and replace them with a three-storey extension.

The scheme forms phase one of the trust's masterplan to improve facilities at the 474-bed hospital.

The application says the work is necessary as the "poor physical environment" has restricted the "quality and range of services" provided by clinical teams.

It also says the current entrance and surrounding buildings are in a "poor state of repair and merit demolition".

"This development will provide a modern new entrance to the hospital with state-of-the-art floorspace in the upper levels," the application adds.

If approved the scheme would see a new ground floor reception, plant room and admission suite built.

Two wards comprising 32 beds would be relocated into the two levels, providing 40 beds.

The application also includes exterior landscaping to create a "safer, more attractive and pedestrian-friendly environment".

The application forms phase one of the trust's masterplan for Warwick Hosptial (image via planning application)

"A key driver for this application is sustainability," it adds. 

"Accordingly, the scheme is supported by a substantial number of PV panels to minimise energy requirements. 

"PV panels are proposed on the roof and southern elevations of the building, with additional PV panels proposed on an existing roof to assist with the zero-carbon target."

If approved, all activity which currently takes place in the buildings set to be demolished will temporarily be relocated on the site.

The hospital eventually plans to also demolish and rebuild the buildings next to the entrance, as well as the day surgery unit and radiology and then the Mains/Suire Ward. These will all come as seperate applications in the next few years.

Warwickshire County Council has recently announced it will fund a wildflower corridor at the hospital.

And a separate application has also been submitted to the district council for a paediatric assessment unit housed in a hospital temporary portacabin to be made permanent.

The trust says the new entrance will be a 'state-of-the-art' facility (image via planning application)