Plans have been approved for a new £60 million hospital in Orkney.

Orkney Islands Council Planning Committee granted permission for the scheme with an additional recommendation. This is the integrity of a 20m buffer zone being protected by moving a pedestrian path to follow the line of the emergency road as well as installing appropriate lighting at this location.

Preferred bidder Robertson Capital Projects will now work alongside NHS Orkney to finalise the legal and commercial agreements before reaching financial close.

Cathie Cowan, NHS Orkney Chief Executive, said: "The Board is delighted that Robertson has achieved this important milestone, which, with the approval of the Board's Full Business Case by Scottish Government last month, allows us to finalise the contract in the coming weeks.  We look forward to seeing a start on site in the very near future."


Neil McCormick, Managing Director, Robertson Capital Projects, added: "We are delighted that the planning application was presented with recommendation for approval at today's meeting. Our team has worked extensively with OIC planning officials since our appointment as Preferred Bidder, and I believe today's formal approval reflects those positive engagement efforts.

"Working in close collaboration with NHS Orkney we have continued to foster positive relationships with local stakeholders as part of our commitment to community benefits, and we look forward to continuing this close working relationship with all parties as we deliver a building of the highest design and quality standards for the NHS and Orcadian community."

(LM/JP)