Summary
Framework/Partnership // NHS SBS Framework
Project Type // Newbuild (MMC)
Start // April 2023
Complete // Feb 2024
Location // King’s Lynn, UK
exi have recently supported the Trust with the development of an estate strategy to accommodate the various works anticipated on site over the next 10+ years.
A key factor in the long-term estate strategy is the need for a new hospital.
Whilst the Trust are seeking to secure funding for a new hospital for delivery by the deadline of 2030, a multi storey car park (MSCP) is required first to accommodate both short and long-term parking objectives in support of this estate strategy.
Following a comprehensive briefing/appraisal/business case development process, the overall MSCP development for short and long-term objectives will provide a total of 1,383 parking spaces and is to be delivered in two phases.
Phase 1 will address short term objectives and immediate parking demand issues and will provide 500 new spaces.
If the Trust are successful with the New Hospital Programme (NHP) funding bid, then phase 2 will be engaged to provide a further 883 spaces (making a total of 1,383 spaces in the MSCP development) to appease the long-term objectives as a key enabling works package to clear the existing carpark site for the NHP development.
The Phase 2 development needs to be completed by Q1 2025 at the latest to allow vacant possession of the NHP development zone.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DOHSC) are anticipated to make such decisions and publicly announce the outcome of this process later in 2022.
Service
The exi team were first appointed to develop a car park strategy and a pre-outline business case (OBC) feasibility study for the MSCP which included strategic and technical advisory, design, project management, MEP, digital and cost management. Our approach to the pre-OBC feasibility and appraisal is as follows:
- The feasibility study is cognisant of the His Majesty’s Treasury (HMT) five-case model
- It followed the principles of HMT Green book guidance with respect to long list, short list, identify a preferred option and developed the preferred option to design solution
- This feasibility & appraisal process took approximately 8 weeks to complete and provided the necessary information and evidence base to inform decision making and provide a robust framework to underpin a formal business case thereafter.
Given the competing strategic objectives, the recommendation of the feasibility study was to split the scheme into two separate phases, each with independent business cases to meet the required HMT funding thresholds.
On submission of the feasibility study to the Trust, exi were requested to provide a multi-disciplinary team proposal to support the Trust with the development of a suitable business case for Phase 1. This was followed by development of the design solution and supporting estates annex with a full planning application, develop a robust travel plan, comprehensive employer’s requirements documentation and soft market testing to verify cost planning benchmarks.
Our digital management team also supported the process in developing an MSCP technology performance specification for the tender process that scoped out the installation, deployment, and management of such digital systems like automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), digital wayfinding and vehicle management systems, environmental sensors, bay management, payment kiosks, cashless payment systems, etc.
Challenges
A key factor to consider informing the design of a multi storey car park is accurately calculating the number of spaces required, or the ‘supply and demand’ figure.
The exi led design team included expert traffic and transport planners who were experienced in this matter and navigated the demand calculations to inform the brief using data from existing and future uses, real time survey data and projections for the new hospital programme.
Added value & outcomes
This project is a good example of how the exi team came together to provide a true multi-disciplinary service to support the Trust to gain internal approval for the business case and estates annex of the MSCP project.
A key outcome will be to have achieved full planning permission for both phases of the MSCP and confirm market tested costs for the development, to be able to confirm future funding.
The project showcases the benefits which collaborating with specialists in the design team can bring including, traffic and transport, planners, and digital experts.
Not only will this scheme act as a key enabling project for the release of a key development zone for a future hospital, this MSCP building will allow the QEH Estates Team to better manage and control their onsite parking demand in the short term whilst benefitting from the latest technology such as parking eye ANPR and app-based payment methods.
