A £220 million redevelopment of St Helier Hospital has taken a major step forward after Sutton Council approved plans, but the rebuild remains in limbo pending a final Government sign off.

The council have now given their seal of approval to Epsom and St Helier Trust’s proposals, which include the demolition of the hospital’s aging five-storey Ferguson House.

However the Treasury and Department of Health still need to grant approval.

Mr Brake called on the Treasury to sign the cheque immediately.

He said: “Following Sutton Council's approval of the planning application for St Helier Hospital the campaign is now at its final hurdle and it is crucial that the Treasury make a decision within the next few weeks.”

Plans for the rebuild include demolishing a large part of the hospital and replacing it with a state-of-the-art building which will house the majority of the hospital’s wards and clinics.

The new building will include 346 beds, with more than 50 per cent being in single rooms.

In addition, nearly £40 million will be spent on upgrading the remainder of the site, including those wards which will not be moved into the new building.

There will also be a new central pharmacy and decked car park.

Samantha Jones, Chief Executive said: “Being granted outline planning permission from Sutton Council is excellent news and it takes us a step closer to receiving final sign off of our plans to spend millions on redeveloping St Helier Hospital.”

The planning application will now be referred to the Mayor of London for approval and is subject to a section 106 agreement – also known as planning gain – between the council and Epsom and St Helier University NHS Trust.