The recommendation will now be put forward to the cabinet secretary for health and sport, Jeane Freeman MSP, who will make a final decision.

Wester Moffat was chosen ahead of two other site options for the Monklands Replacement Project (MRP) at Gartcosh and Glenmavis.

Neena Mahal, chair of the board of NHS Lanarkshire, said: “The Board’s recommendation that Wester Moffat is the preferred site for the new, state-of-the-art University Hospital Monklands marks a significant milestone in our exciting project to create a world-class hospital to serve the communities of Lanarkshire over the coming decades.

“I would like to thank the public and our staff for their extensive participation during the engagement process on the Monklands Replacement Project.

“The feedback we received on the three site options proved invaluable in helping Board members to give thorough consideration to the issues of key interest to members of the community, such as travel and transport, site contamination, cross-boundary flow of patients and the socio-economic impact of relocating the hospital.

“I would also like to acknowledge the hard work of the Monklands Replacement Project team, who provided the Board with the comprehensive information which formed the basis of our deliberations.

“The board’s recommendation, which is not a final decision, will now be considered by the cabinet secretary for health and sport.”