A Carillion joint venture (JV) has been selected to deliver a new hospital in the West Midlands.

The Hospital Company was chosen by the Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust to develop the hospital on a site off Grove Lane in Smethwick.

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council granted planning consent for the project at a meeting on Wednesday, 23 September.

The Midland Metropolitan Hospital will be delivered in a Public Private Partnership under a 30-year concession contract using the government's PF2 model.

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The new hospital will contain approximately 670 beds and 15 operating theatre suites.

Design features include a fully enclosed winter garden, ground floor car parking within the building and first floors to create a secure environment for patients and staff.

In addition, the design and construction of the project will be highly sustainable.

Carillion is to invest some £16m in the project, which will be built at a cost of £297m.

Construction is due to start in early 2016 with completion scheduled for mid-2018 and the hospital opening later the same year.

Austin Bell, Carillion Bid Director, said: "We are delighted to have reached this landmark milestone in the process. We look forward to working with the Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals Trust to deliver the hospital, which will provide state-of-the art healthcare for the people of Sandwell and West Birmingham for years to come."

(LM/MH)