The construction work has officially started as part of the development of Crewe’s new health and care neighbourhood, which will have a new Leighton Hospital at its heart.
The work will see the creation of a new electrical substation enclosure, providing the required resilient power for the new net zero hospital, which will be located to the north of the existing Leighton Hospital. Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust purchased this land last year.
The new substation will provide the infrastructure required to bring all the necessary power onto the site by November 2027.
The construction will be undertaken by Robertson Construction North West and includes new access from Flowers Lane to allow vehicle access solely for the electricity company, Scottish Power, to the substation. Whilst some existing hedgerow will be removed, around 50m of native hedgerow will be replanted to offset this. The existing trees on Flowers Lane will be protected and retained, as will the natural habitats, with additional trees also planted to meet the Trust’s environmental targets.
The planning application for this substation enclosure was approved by Cheshire East Council earlier this year. This work is separate from the main hospital planning application which will be submitted in December 2025.
Russ Favager, the Trust’s Board Senior Responsible Officer for Leighton New Hospital Programme, said:
“It may only be a substation, but every major development needs to start with essential groundwork. The site currently has no power supply, so putting this critical infrastructure in place now ensures we’re ready to move quickly once planning permission for the new hospital is hopefully granted in spring 2026.”
Paul Coyle, Regional Managing Director, Robertson Construction North West, said:
“We have worked with the Trust since 2021 to maintain and improve its estate, and we look forward to continuing that partnership as we take this first major step towards the new hospital together, setting the high standard for the project’s next stage.”
This project has been awarded to Robertson through the Procure Partnerships Framework. The company also continues to deliver a range of works across Leighton Hospital to benefit patients, visitors, and NHS staff, including an extension to the Intensive Care Unit and RAAC remediation. Last year, Robertson also led the in-kind delivery of a new Baby Bereavement Suite and continues to support the Trust’s charity.
Natalie Palframan, Key Account Manager (North) at Procure Partnerships Framework, said:
“We are pleased to support the Trust in progressing the first critical phase, and look forward to seeing this early infrastructure work pave the way for a state-of-the-art facility that will benefit the community for decades to come.”
Visit the Healthier Futures microsite for further details about the programme and to provide feedback.
