Plans for a rooftop solar farm at a Wakefield hospital have been given the go-ahead.

The proposals involve installing more than 600 solar panels on buildings within the Fieldhead Hospital site.

In March last year, Fieldhead, along with nearby Pinderfields Hospital and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service headquarters at Carr Gate, received a share of a £180m investment in solar energy.

They were among the first public buildings to benefit from major investment by Great British Energy, the government’s state-owned energy company.

placeholder image — Fieldhead Hospital, Wakefield

The initiative aims to cut energy bills at the sites, allowing savings to be reinvested into delivering more frontline services for patients.

Once installed, the projects are estimated to save the NHS an additional £8.6m each year, ultimately contributing up to £260m in savings over their lifetime.

According to an application submitted to Wakefield Council on behalf of South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation, a total of 614 panels are to installed at five buildings – Horizon Centre, Learning and Wellbeing, Newhaven, Unity Centre and Ryeburn.

Fieldhead provides a range of in-patient mental health services for children and adults.

Plans to install more than 600 solar panels on buildings at Fieldhead Hospital in Wakefield have been approved. Image: Lynx Sustainable Solutions.

It also provides drug and alcohol abuse services as well as care for patients with learning disabilities.

A council planning officer’s report said prior approval for the development was not required, which allows the scheme to progress.

Simon Lightwood, MP for Wakefield and Rothwell, previously said: “This represents a big step towards a more sustainable and cost-effective NHS, as well as driving forward a cleaner and greener future for everyone.

“I’m proud that Pinderfields, Fieldhead and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service in my constituency are benefiting from this government funding.”