Plans to make further improvements to St Andrew's Healthcare facilities in Northampton have taken a step forward.

The West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) Planning Committee has approved outline proposals for a new building to complement William Wake House, opened last year, and all the other facilities on the Charity's 134 acre site between Cliftonville Road and Billing Road.

Professor Philip Sugarman, Chief Executive of St Andrew's Healthcare said: "It is our ambition to provide mental healthcare facilities and services that are second to none, both regionally and nationally. Approval of outline planning permission to enhance what we can provide at our Northampton site is another step towards that goal. We can now start detailed work on our future plans for the site."


The new centre, which is intended to be four interlinked buildings, including bedrooms, therapy units and offices, will provide facilities to treat a range of psychiatric conditions.

With over 2000 permanent staff in Northampton, St Andrew's is already a major employer in the town. Although work on the new £50million development on the Cliftonville site is still some way in the future, it is expected to provide up to 260 additional jobs when it is fully operational.

(CD)