Leaders insist delays to new hospital will not derail planned growth and innovation
City leaders have pledged their “unwavering commitment” to innovation and growth across Leeds, in response to the government confirming development of the new hospital at Leeds General Infirmary will be delayed.
Funding and a start date for the hospital has now been pushed back to between 2033 and 2035, even though outline planning consent for the project was secured back in 2020.
However, leaders from Leeds City Council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust say despite this setback, plans for the Leeds Innovation Village will still go ahead.
This will be a neighbourhood within the city’s £2bn Leeds innovation Arc, and one of the flagship projects of the £160m West Yorkshire Investment Zone. It is planned for construction on the Village to start later this year.
The Village is expected to bring about £13bn in economic growth to the city and around 4,000 jobs.
Dame Linda Pollard, chair of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said: “Our plans for a new hospital are more than healthcare and play a pivotal role in harnessing innovation and stimulating growth across Leeds and beyond.
“Despite the announcement of disappointing delays to our new hospital at Leeds General Infirmary, plans for the Leeds Innovation Village will still go ahead, with early phases already underway.”
Councillor James Lewis
Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “We remain absolutely committed to our long-term vision for the city of stimulating innovation and economic growth that drives and delivers measurable impact towards a healthier, greener and inclusive future for all.
“The Leeds Innovation Village, a key neighbourhood within the city’s £2bn Innovation Arc, will progress as planned, and we’re excited about the potential it holds to drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve healthcare.
“The transformation of the Old Medical School into a new cutting-edge health innovation hub will further solidify Leeds’ position as a global healthtech hub.”
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, added: “As the home of NHS England and Europe’s largest teaching hospital, Leeds is an international magnet for health innovation, and there is no setback that can stop us from realising our potential.
“With our multi-million pound Investment Zone driving the development of the Old Medical School into a world-leading centre of medical and technological innovation, we will deliver jobs and growth here in West Yorkshire while transforming the lives of patients worldwide.
“We will also continue to make the case for the all-important new hospital at Leeds General Infirmary to be built as soon as possible, as part of our wider plans to build a well-connected Innovation Arc across the city of Leeds through our new Mass Transit system, driving growth.”
