Concerns over location of new Hull medical centre

The planned £18m centre will offer MRI, CT and ultrasound scans, along with x-rays, blood tests

Concerns have been raised about a planned £18m health centre in Hull.

The Community Diagnostics Centre (CDC), due to be built in Albion Street, would provide scans and other medical tests.

It has been backed by the city council, which is providing £2m towards the cost.

However, the authority's urban design officers have said that "the location is not suitable for this use" and suggested a different location would be "more appropriate".

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the officers have raised questions due to the space required for equipment and the prospect of increased footfall on an already busy pedestrian route.

They have a number of concerns, including: plans for a mobile MRI unit at the site; the volume of pedestrian traffic; and how the CDC would fit into the wider Albion Square redevelopment.

The CDC (in red) will be part of redevelopment of Albion Square in Hull city centre

In a council report the officers said: "There are concerns that the ancillary infrastructure that supports the specific technological requirements of the building harms the existing public realm and will negatively impact the development of the rest of the block."

"Large volumes of people move through the Albion block to access the theatre, retail, hospitality, employment and health care uses; it is likely the CDC would increase the volume of foot and cycle traffic.

"All of this suggests that the location is not suitable for this use and an alternative location is more appropriate."

The facility would offer MRI, CT and ultrasound scans, along with x-rays, blood tests and help for heart and lung conditions.

NHS officials hope that it will help ease pressure on hospitals by catering for 300 patients a day and carrying out an estimated 2,205 tests each week, around 30% of all of those done locally.

The proposal will go before the planning committee next week, and if approved it will open in 2025.