The City of York Council in the UK has granted approval to The Disabilities Trust for the construction of a brain injury hospital at the Chocolate Works in York, England.

In July this year, a planning application was submitted to the council after carrying out public consultations in June.

The Disabilities Trust, a registered charity in England and Wales, works towards helping people with disabilities with an objective to improve their lives.

The approval from the council will help the trust to safeguard 145 healthcare jobs and retain the mental health service in the city.

The Disabilities Trust corporate services director Bill Chidgey said: “We are delighted to have received planning permission which will allow us to continue our presence in York after more than 20 years of service.

“This development will enable us to provide the people we support with the highest quality of facilities, to aid and support them in their treatment and rehabilitation.

“Throughout this process our priority has been to retain our workforce and provide long-term assurances to the people we support and their families. Now our plans have been approved we can look forward to our future in York.”

The health care facility at the former Terry’s chocolate factory will be a two-storey structure with 36 beds across four wards as well as four assessment flats.

It will also have three internal courtyards for service users and a therapeutic garden.

The parking area of the hospital will have the capacity to accommodate 50 cars and will be equipped with bicycle racks.