Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has submitted a planning application for a new Elective Care Hub at Bedford Hospital.
The application proposes demolishing the existing Kings Place office building on Britannia Road and replacing it with a phased, purpose-built clinical facility of up to six storeys, comprising day surgery, diagnostics, specialist outpatients, and inpatient wards.
The planning statement said the project would unlock £25–50 million in capital investment and form a key part of its long-term redevelopment programme.
It added that Bedford’s population is growing “at nearly three times the national average”, placing increasing pressure on local health services.
Read: Planned new elective care hub at Bedford Hospital makes progress
Also, it said, Bedford Hospital’s elective waiting lists are now “among the longest in the country”, citing “outdated infrastructure”, including Nightingale-era wards still in use.
Phase 1 is expected to take 18–21 months, while full build-out across all phases could extend over 15 years.
The development would have an impact on parking, with Phase 1 removing 237 parking spaces and Phase Two removing an additional 100.
However, disabled bays would remain unchanged.
It follows two earlier Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening requests made over the summer.
More information can be found on Bedford Borough Council’s planning portal, reference 25/02209/MOF.
The overall consultation expiry date is Friday, 26 December 2025.
By John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
