The health board has announced that, as part of the process, it will hold a public consultation in March before submitting a planning application for its proposal to build the state-of-the-art new hospital at Wester Moffat, a picturesque site on the outskirts of Airdrie.

A Proposal of Application Notice, submitted last week to North Lanarkshire Council, includes an outline of the pre-application consultation, which is part of the planning process for the Wester Moffat site. It also has information on the eye-catching Wester Moffat setting, proposed as the home to a new hospital that will be expertly tailored by architects to the scenic landscape, providing spectacular views and a healing natural environment.

In line with current Scottish Government guidance, the four-week consultation will be online due to the pandemic.

A dedicated website will provide information on issues relevant to the Monklands Replacement Project’s planning application to inform feedback from the public, health and care staff and other stakeholders.

The website will also host two virtual public events (March 17 and 19), which will give the community an opportunity to have live question-and-answer sessions with members of the project team.

Monklands Replacement Project director Graeme Reid said: “The project team is absolutely delighted that the planning process is under way, marking another important step forward on the exciting journey to a new hospital for Lanarkshire.

“The fantastic input of stakeholders has been crucial to the project so far and we look forward to engaging with the community on the plans for the ultra-modern new hospital as we progress through the planning process.”