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Bristol City Council's housing chief has launched a petition against hospital plans to demolish dozens of homes to build a multi-storey car park.

The trust that run the Bristol Royal Infirmary has revealed that it plans to build an 800-space car park near the hospital by forcing NHS staff from their homes and building on the land.

University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust said tenants, some of whom are hospital staff, would be given six months notice to leave their homes if the plans are given the green light.

(Image: University Hospitals Bristol NHS Founration Trust)

But Bristol City Council's cabinet member for housing, Paul Smith, has launched an online petition opposing the plans.

The petition on Bristol City Council's website, says: "We are opposed to the plans of the hospital trust to destroy 36 flats in Eugene Street, Bristol to build a 800 space car park.

"We also believe that the hospital can better manage and improve its existing parking space to meet the needs of patients.

"We call upon the Bristol City Council: Oppose the proposals to demolish these homes and to build a multi-storey car park in this location."

(Image: University Hospitals Bristol NHS Founration Trust)

The petition, which currently has 35 signatures, also calls for the negotiation to return the homes to council control.

UH Bristol recently revealed that the flats in Eugene Street, Kingsdown, mostly house NHS staff working for the group.

There are 12 flats in each of the three apartment buildings, Montague, Eugene, and Marlborough - bringing the total number of homes demolished to 36.

UH Bristol said that 24 are currently occupied, with mostly hospital staff living there.

(Image: Google Maps)

Plans to build the multi-storey car park on the site first emerged in June 2014 when the trust contacted residents of Marlborough, Eugene and Montague Flats to warn them of the intention to develop the land.

UH Bristol has come up with plans for a transport hub, which would include an 820-space multi-storey car park and a 400-space cycle park for staff.

The trust says it encourages staff patients and visitors to travel by bus, cycling or walking but added that sustainable transport can be impossible for some people with medical conditions.

There are currently 300 car parking spaces available at the trust's hospitals, but there were almost 1million patience attendances in 2016/17.

The UH Bristol website includes a Hospital Transport Hub section, outlining the plans and why health bosses feel it is necessary.

The website includes testimonies from patients who have raised concerns about transport.

(Image: University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust)

Jo-Anne Collins is the mother of twin boys who were born premature.

She said: "While my disabled badge means that I can park on double yellow lines for a couple of hours, I still struggle to find a space. The boys' appointments usually last for a few hours, so I'm often forced to leave my children at the hospital to go and move my car.

"While my disabled badge means that I can park on double yellow lines for a couple of hours, I still struggle to find a space. The boys' appointments usually last for a few hours, so I'm often forced to leave my children at the hospital to go and move my car.

"As a resident of Bristol, I know the issues and challenges for drivers in the city. However, as a mum with small children I also know the issues and challenges of travelling via public transport. Buses and trains are difficult enough when you're just popping down to the shops, but when you're taking your kids to hospital it can be an exhausting experience.

"I truly believe the transport hub will make a tangible difference to my life and that of many other parents using the hospital."

The trust said the existing hospital multi-storey car park and two other small car parks nearby would be closed if the new hub was approved.

UH Bristol plans to submit a planning application to Bristol City Council this summer.