Green light for Gloucester hospital’s vital backup power upgrade
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital’s vital backup energy centre is getting an upgrade.
City planners have given the go-ahead for the improvements to the hospital’s power infrastructure off Great Western Road in Gloucester.
The hospital is in urgent need of replacing its backup generators due to electrical load growth, according to a report presented to Gloucester City Council’s planning committee last night (April 7).
And the improvements are needed to increase the generating capacity to ensure the hospital has sufficient back up generation in the event of any future power cuts.
Councillors voted to approve the proposals which involve replacing two of the existing four generators with newer, much larger, enhanced models to service foreseeable uplifts in power consumption.
The upgrade will allow for future expansion of the hospital and also requires associated external works at the energy centre building to enable the internal enhancements.
These include the installation of new ancillary plant equipment to supplement the existing arrangements and the removal of seven existing tree and minor site reconfiguration to create the required useable space.
The external works include a couple of fuel tanks, outlet attenuators, radiators and transformers along with a chimney tower and switch room.
Officers told the planning committee that the generators would only be used in the event of a power failure and for scheduled routine maintenance.
And explained that the plans were reported to the committee because the height of the main chimney is 23 metres tall.
“These improvements are vital for the continued safe operation of the hospital,” the case officer told the meeting.
During the debate, Councillor Roseanna Marshall (L, Barton and Tredworth) said she did not think the generator would impact noise
“It’s really not going to impact anyone,” she said.
“Also, with increasing technology it is really important that we have this in place because we are relying more on medical engineering, technology, computers and different equipment for surgical things.
“It’s really important we get this through.”
Councillor Andy Lewis (C, Quedgeley Severn Vale) agreed and said it was a “no-brainer”.
“If you are there and you have got your heart monitor going and then suddenly electric goes out and then you’ve got nothing to back it up?”
And Councillor Pam Tracey (C, Westgate) agreed the upgrade is needed and would vote for it but raised questions about the noise impact on nearby residents.
Councillor Stephanie Chambers (C, Quedgeley Fieldcourt) also agreed but asked if more could be done to increase security around the site.
Officers said the hospital has taken security advice and there are environmental measures in place.
Chairman Angela Conder (LD), who represents the Kingsholm and Wotton area, said she has never had any complaints from residents about noise associated with the testing of the generators.
“I’m reassured on the noise point and I think in an emergency, we accept all sorts of things really because the alternative is so much worse.”
The committee voted unanimously to grant permission.