Leading planning consultancy Barton Willmore has secured planning permission - on behalf of Marie Curie Cancer Care - for a new £20m specialist palliative care facility in Solihull in the Green Belt.

The new hospice will provide twenty-four en suite bedrooms with associated day facilities, education and training rooms, office administration and support staff facilities. It will replace Marie Curie Cancer Care's existing facility in Solihull, the building is over 100 years old and no longer meets the modern day needs of specialist palliative care.

The planning application successfully demonstrated the very special circumstances required by PPG2 and received widespread political and local support, including a petition of over 11,200 signatures. Planning permission was issued in January 2010, following an Officers recommendation for approval, unanimous support by Solihull MBC Planning Committee, and no 'call-in' by the Secretary of State.

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Planning Partner Mark Sitch of Barton Willmore's Solihull Office said: "We are delighted to have secured planning permission for Marie Curie Cancer Care’s new facility in the Green Belt. The care at the existing Hospice remains excellent, however, the facilities are in need of modernisation and limitations of the existing site make its redevelopment unviable if it is to provide the extended services needed.

"The new site is considered to be the only viable development option for Marie Curie Cancer Care, and the planning application passed the rigorous Green Belt tests by demonstrating very special circumstances for its development. Marie Curie Cancer Care will now be able to provide a high quality modern facility in Solihull, ensuring that patients receive the very best care in surroundings that are comfortable for both them, and their friends and family."

(CD/GK)