Royal Surrey County Hospital Multi-Storey Car Park

Prime partnered with Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust and Guildford Borough Council to deliver a secure, permanent parking solution that addressed long-standing challenges at Royal Surrey County Hospital.

For years, the hospital faced a critical shortage of parking, causing stress and delays for patients, visitors, and staff alike. Vulnerable individuals—often accompanied by sick children, elderly parents, or anxious spouses—frequently arrived early just to secure a space, fearing missed appointments. The lack of parking had become a pressing issue, demanding a sustainable, long-term solution.

Many hospital staff lived outside Guildford and relied on cars due to limited public transport options. Their need to park on-site further reduced availability for patients and visitors, exacerbating the problem. It was clear that urgent action was needed.

The solution came in the form of a six-storey multi-storey car park (MSCP), providing 596 dedicated spaces for staff. This strategic move freed up valuable parking on the main hospital campus for patients and visitors, significantly improving access and reducing stress.

However, introducing new infrastructure on a constrained NHS site is never straightforward. The hospital’s location near a busy research park had historically led to traffic congestion, raising concerns among local residents about the potential impact of the development. To address these concerns, Prime conducted a comprehensive transport assessment, demonstrating that the MSCP—with its 194 additional spaces—would not increase traffic volumes.

Collaboration was key. Working closely with the NHS Foundation Trust, Guildford Borough Council, and the neighbouring university, Prime helped secure a Section 106 agreement for future highway improvements along Gill Avenue, adjacent to the hospital. This proactive approach contributed to the planning application being unanimously approved.

Another operational challenge was that the development site was already being used for staff parking. To ensure continuity during construction, Prime negotiated a 12-month licence for a nearby plot on the research park, providing temporary decant parking within walking distance of the hospital.

The MSCP was built adjacent to student accommodation, raising concerns about privacy and headlight glare. Prime addressed these issues during the planning phase by incorporating a line of mature, 10-metre-high trees to provide effective screening. Existing hedging around the site was retained, and by building on a current surface car park, the project achieved a remarkable biodiversity net gain of 102%—far surpassing the original 15% target.

This project stands as a testament to thoughtful planning, stakeholder collaboration, and sustainable development—delivering a vital infrastructure upgrade that benefits staff, patients, and the wider community.