NHS Highland Column - New Belford Hospital: Planning application preview event

The new facility will provide just over 12,000 square metres of modern healthcare space, twice the size of the current Belford Hospital with facilities designed to meet contemporary healthcare standards.

Car parking was an area of interest and we are planning a separate discussion with the stakeholders group on how this has been calculated. We are confident that there is sufficient space allowed with additional space for future expansion identified.

There was also interest on how the building will respond to the local climate as well as questions on timescales and the service model.

Overall the reaction to the building design and layout was really very positive.

We have taken on board the feedback on how this event was advertised and the location used. Questions and feedback from the community events will be used to update the project’s frequently asked questions on the NHS Highland website at www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/, ensuring clear communication with the community throughout the planning process.

The detailed planning application is available for public viewing on the Highland Council planning portal, allowing the wider community to review the proposals.

A processing agreement is in place with an outcome expected following the Highland Council’s June Planning Committee.

Looking ahead, the outline business case for the project will shortly start to progress through NHS Highland’s governance structures before submission to Scottish Government which is anticipated for June 2026.