The Welsh Government has just approved Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s outline plans allowing the scheme to proceed to a full assessment.

The £85m, 63-bed mental health facility would replace the existing care and support services presently provided at the hospital’s existing Ablett Unit and at the Bryn Hesketh inpatient older persons mental health facility in Colwyn Bay.

The new building will provide acute inpatient mental health care to adults from Conwy, Denbighshire and parts of Flintshire, as well as a new Dementia Assessment Unit, incorporating the latest evidence on dementia supportive environments, and a dedicated crisis assessment area.

Rob Bailey, BAM Construction Director and healthcare lead in the North West of England and North Wales said that BAM would now help to work up a detailed and fully costed full business case.

Subject to final approvals being secured construction is presently expected to begin in 2024 and complete in 2026.

Sustainability will be at the heart of the design including use of air-sourced heat pumps and photovoltaic cells on the roof.

The design partners for the scheme are architects, Powell Dobson, structural engineers, Ramboll, M&E engineers, Arup, and MEP installers, Lorne Stuart. Gleeds will provide project management and cost advisor services.