A former nursery garden at Warwick Hospital could be turned into a cycle storage area and changing room, if plans are signed off by the district council.

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust (SWFT) has applied for 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 says. 

"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 would be given a timber effect finish, and the site would be landscaped, with the existing trees retained.

Works currently underway on site will see the existing entrance buildings demolished and replaced with a three-storey extension.

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

While the trust said works would not impact day-to-day running of the hospital, there have been some issues since the work began.

"The work that is taking place is a huge investment in your local NHS, which will help create sustainable and accessible services. We are currently building a dedicated facility, known as an elective hub, that will increase the number of surgical procedures the hospital can carry out, helping to reduce waiting times for patients," a SWFT statement said.

"This exciting project will also create a new main entrance for the hospital. This will support better way finding and improve flow around the site.

"Given the site constraints the work is unfortunately causing disruptions, particularly to car parking and we apologise for this. The trust is working hard to minimise the impact as much as we can, but where possible we are encouraging patients and visitors to make alternative transport arrangements to minimise the impact on your visit to Warwick Hospital.

"Thank you for your continued patience and support."

See the full application here.