The first phase of King's Lynn's new hospital is set to get the go-ahead - while it waits for confirmation it will get the £862m it needs to build it.

West Norfolk council's planning committee has been recommended to approve proposals for a new multi-storey car pack on the site of what is currently the Queen Elizabeth Hospital's Inspire Centre, near its main entrance, when it meets on Monday, April 24.

Eastern Daily Press: The Inspire Centre at the QEH, which will be demolished to make way for the multi-storey car park which will free up space for a new hospitalThe Inspire Centre at the QEH, which will be demolished to make way for the multi-storey car park which will free up space for a new hospital (Image: Google)

The 1,400-space car park would free up space for a new hospital to be built on its current car park.

The current hospital, which is still operating 10 years after its expected working life, was built from so-called RAAC concrete planks, which are now beginning to fail. 

Eastern Daily Press: Some of the thousands of props holding up the roof at the QEHSome of the thousands of props holding up the roof at the QEH (Image: Chris Bishop)

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In a planning statement, the trust which runs the hospital says: "The current application for a multi-storey car park is the first step in the trust’s wider plans to deliver a new hospital to replace the current facility which is beyond its useable life and failing structurally.

Eastern Daily Press: Props holding up the ceiling on a ward at the QEHProps holding up the ceiling on a ward at the QEH (Image: Chris Bishop)

"Some 3,478 steel and timber failsafe structural supports are currently in place within the hospital, and national experts have stated that, even if  failsafe and protection works are carried out, the maximum residual life of the QEH is 2030.

"Whilst the QEH was, unfortunately, not one of the 40 hospitals that secured £3.7bn of government funding towards their development last year, the trust are committed to ensuring that the QEH is taken forward as one of the additional eight projects included within the national New Hospital Programme (NHP).

Eastern Daily Press: Props to prevent the ceiling from collapsing at the hospitalProps to prevent the ceiling from collapsing at the hospital (Image: Chris Bishop)

"We anticipate that alongside the other ‘unfunded’ RAAC hospitals in the UK, we will be prioritised for funding with an accelerated programme for delivery."

A formal announcement is now expected after the local elections on May 4.

Hospital bosses have warned the current site will be unsafe to use after 2030 and there is no 'Plan B' in the event they do not get the go-ahead from government for a rebuild.