A HOSPITAL for patients with mental health problems has unveiled plans for several new buildings to extend its care provision.

If given the green light, the expansion plans at Cygnet Hospital are expected to create about 56 new jobs.

Located in Buller Street, the CQC Good rated hospital provides inpatient mental health services for men and women, as well as specialist deaf services, and child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).

A spokesperson for Cygnet Health Care said: “The approval of these plans means that Cygnet Hospital Bury will be able to help meet the unmet demand for such services and, where possible, ensure that patients can be treated close to their homes, friends and families.

“We are very proud to be providing such important services, to create new jobs locally, and we would love to hear from those who share our passion and commitment to caring for and supporting people with mental health needs.”

Under plans, an existing administration building, known as The White House, could be demolished to make way for a new 18-bed acute unit, for patients whose illnesses or needs are sudden in their onset and severe.

Further development would include the construction of a seclusion unit called South Hampton, as well as a new Recovery College classroom.

Proposals also include the creation of a new gatehouse, with associated parking and pedestrian walkways, plus minor alterations to an existing entrance.

Outline plans suggest that 56 full-time jobs could be created, taking the total number of full-time employees to 436, as well as 41 part-time.

A design and access statement submitted with the plans reads: "The proposed White House building has been designed to utilise the demolished building's footprint, with minimal disruption to the site during construction.

"The site has been designed in a manner to ensure: residents are afforded a pleasant outlook whilst retaining a reasonable amount of privacy and ensuring sufficient external amenity space; location of staff areas ensures good supervision of residential floors to allow ease of use and safety for both staff and residents; provision of sufficient staff and visitor parking spaces; and minimal impact on existing trees/landscaping surrounding and within the site."

The proposed White House building would be two storeys high, comprising bedroom accommodation on both the ground and first floors. The building would also be used for staff facilities, administration and Mental Health Act (MHA) offices as well as occupational therapy (OT) suites, an internet café, lounges and dining areas.

Proposals also include clinical rooms for the doctor and psychologist plus treatment and examination areas.

A two-storey gatehouse would be built to maintain secure access to the existing Hudson building as well as creating a new access to the proposed White House, and add 56 parking spaces to the exiting 222.

Applicant Cygnet Health Care says the new buildings have been designed to match the existing hospital, constructed in red brick, rendered and grey tiled pitched roofing.

Shack Architecture Ltd, on behalf of Cygnet, wrote: "The proposals have been developed to create a viable, high quality, well designed development that will provide a vibrant care environment and be a good addition to the existing hospital site."

The next planning committee meeting will be held on September 3.