FURIOUS residents say the noise and glaring reflections from air conditioning units on top of Worcestershire Royal Hospital are "causing stress and headaches".

A retrospective planning application has been submitted to Worcester City Council for the air conditioning unit on the roof of the Aconbury East building at the hospital.

Neighbouring residents have complained that another air conditioning unit, on top of the main hospital building, causes noise issues and they fear the one on Aconbury East will make the problem even worse when it's switched on.

Residents have also complained that the glare from the reflection of the sun on the new unit is "blinding", and many described the building as "ugly".

They have voiced their objections to the retrospective planning application on the city council’s planning website.

Grace Terry said: “The retrospective application shows the blatant disregard to us as neighbours with regards to the noise generated from the unit and the glare we are subjected to. The units should be screened to allow us quiet enjoyment of our homes.”

Christopher Allen, who lives in The Heights, said: "The appearance is industrial and not in keeping with the residential area and is in clear view of visitors to the site, making it ugly and an eyesore.

"This light reflection is so bright that we are blinded and have to close curtains or blinds. I have a sound recording taken from my garden at night which was taken because the noise levels that day were loud and causing a nuisance. Our (resident’s) health is already being affected – causing stress and headaches.”

Warndon city and county councillor Andy Roberts said: “I cannot believe that plans for a proposal of such an industrial nature would have been accepted if put before the committee in other than a retrospective application.

"That the development has been done outside planning approvals does not mean that it conforms to an acceptable standard.”

A Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust spokesman said: “The trust is currently carrying out a re-modelling of the Aconbury East building. An additional 81 beds are being created in four modern and fit for purpose ward facilities for patients. These works include the provision of new air handling units on the roof, which are essential to serve the wards.

"Following consultation with the local authority, a planning application was approved for the project and it was agreed that a supplementary application would be submitted to clarify the design and extent of the rooftop plant required to serve the refurbished building. At present the new rooftop plant is not operational, but we aware that the ongoing construction works during the day may be causing some noise disturbance for local residents.

"We would like to assure those affected we are working closely with our contractors to ensure noise levels are kept to an absolute minimum for the duration of the work. We are confident the completed rooftop plant will not disturb residents, and have further agreed to apply ‘anti-glare’ paint to the plant/ductwork in response to concerns about reflected glare.

"We are hopeful these measures will gain the support of the council, planning committee and residents to ensure the successful opening of the much needed new beds in the near future.”

The plans can be viewed via the planning section of the city council’s website. The consultation ends on October 25. The application number is 19/00520/FUL.

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