Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) wants to open a new three-storey building at the site on Marine Drive, which will include a minor injuries and ailments unit, a 14-bed rehabilitation facility, and dental and radiology units.
Two buildings are proposed to be demolished as part of the development.
Denbighshire County Council granted the application planning consent today (December 23), and it is hoped that construction could commence in the first quarter of 2026.
CGI image of new hospital planned the Royal Alexandra Hospital site in Rhyl (Image: BCUHB)
Proposals for a new North Denbighshire Community Hospital were first revealed in 2013, but fell through because of implications from the COVID-19 pandemic.
But earlier this year, the health board submitted a revised proposal for the council to consider.
It is proposed that 56 full-time employees would work at the premises.
A planning statement from BCUHB read: “The latest proposals represent updated design proposals from a scheme previously granted planning permission in 2020, which ultimately was not implemented.
“The previous scheme was hit by implications from the COVID-19 pandemic, and in-turn significant increased development costs.
“Consequently, the original proposals were found to be unaffordable, and therefore the proposals have had to be rethought.
A pre-application survey received 295 responses, with 83 per cent of respondents saying they “strongly” supported the new development, 57 per cent saying they considered the site and design proposals appropriate.
Meanwhile, 68 per cent of respondents “strongly” believe the development will have a positive impact on Rhyl.
Meanwhile, the minor injuries and ailments unit will provide a walk-in service, with the aim of reducing pressure on similar facilities at nearby Holywell and Denbigh.
A 49-space car park has been proposed, as well as a designated pedestrian drop-off point in front of the new building’s public entrance.
It has been agreed that use can be made of the nearby Pavilion Theatre overflow car park, both during construction and following completion of the development.
The Royal Alex building in Rhyl. Image: Google StreetView
BCUHB added: “As part of the revised proposals, a reduced extent of demolition work will be required compared to the previous scheme.
“Most notably, the Edwardian period Edith Vizard building situated on the corner of Russell Road and Grosvenor Road will be retained.
“The Glan Traeth buildings to the west of the site are also retained within the proposals.
“Demolition of the Estates building and Mortuary building which are both positioned alongside Grosvenor Road, as well as part of a plant compound, will be required to enable the development.”
A separate listed building consent planning application, for the demolition of the Estates building, was lodged yesterday.
Planning consent for the development is valid for the next five years.
Stuart Keen, BCUHB’s director of environment and estates, said: “We are delighted to have been granted planning permission for the new-build element of the Royal Alexandra Hospital development in Rhyl.
“Should funding be approved by Welsh Government, we would hope to begin construction early in the new year.
“This is great news for the people of Rhyl and its surrounding areas. We are one step closer to providing a valuable improvement to local health care, which will benefit the local population and help to reduce pressures on Glan Clwyd Hospital.”