A former nursery garden at Warwick Hospital can now be turned into a cycle storage area and changing room, after plans were signed off by the district council.

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust (SWFT) has been granted planning permission to turn the currently unused space into a single-storey shower block and double-decked cycle rack.

SWFT has already begun work building a major new entrance at Warwick Hospital, after an application was approved by Warwick District Council (WDC) earlier this year.

As part of that scheme, cycle storage and a shower block were due to be built in car park A.

However, "having undertaken a detailed design review" SWFT has decided the area "would be better placed in another location within the hospital site". 

"The proposal is a portacabin which encloses 2x shower, WC and changing areas for staff, predominantly those that cycle to work," the new application said. 

"The shower and WC block will utilise the existing services that serve the Busy Bee's nursery."

It added: "The implementation of this application will enable this major planning permission to be amended, with cycle parking and shower block removed from these proposals."

A currently unused garden area will be repurposed for the new facilities at Warwick Hosptial (image via planning application)

Plans show the portacabin will be given a timber effect finish, and the site would be landscaped, with the existing trees retained.

Approving the application, a WDC report said: "The proposed development would make efficient use of land by encouraging and improving cycle provision (with associated changing/ shower facilities) on site as a sustainable modes of transport and thereby benefits health and well-being of hospital staff.

"Consequently, there is no objection in principle to the location for improved cycle storage provision."

See the full application here.