Royal Sussex County Hospital revamp plan put forward

Health chiefs have put forward £400m plans to replace "shocking" Victorian buildings at a Brighton hospital.

The trust that runs the Royal Sussex County Hospital wants to build a 12-storey building with about 400 beds and an underground car park.

The proposal, which also includes a helicopter landing pad, has been submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council for planning approval.

Chief executive Duncan Selbie said it was important the work goes ahead.

'Cracking plan'

He said: "The buildings we want to replace were opened 20 years before Florence Nightingale entered nursing.

"They're quite shocking and should have been replaced a decade ago."

He added: "I think we have put in a cracking plan and I am very hopeful that the planners will agree."

If planning permission is granted, construction work would start late next year.