Buildings at Lister Hospital are to be knocked down to make way for a planned �38m emergency department and ward block.

Work to demolish the former therapy units between the Strathmore wing and A&E on the Stevenage site is due to begin on Thursday to make room for the new buildings.

East and North Herts Trust chief executive Nick Carver said: “Whilst we are waiting for HM Treasury to approve our full business case for the Lister’s new �19 million emergency department, which is expected soon, we’re getting on with preparing the site for the building work involved.

“The site that is being cleared is also where the hospital’s new �18.6 million ward block will be built once its business case is also approved fully – which we expect to happen a little later this year.”

The project, which is expected to last four weeks, will impact on parking available in the car park in front of Lister’s A&E as well as cause disruptions to the Strathmore car park.

Proposals to build a new day surgery unit with endoscopy service and two inpatient theatres as well as create an admissions unit in the tower block at the hospital are due to be discussed by the Stevenage Borough Council planning and development committee meeting on Wednesday night. Council officers recommend planning permission be granted.