Plans for a state-of-the-art mental health facility at Tolworth Hospital have been approved by Kingston Council.

The new hospital, tipped to become a “modern centre of excellence”, is expected to be fully operational in 2021, with plans for three new blocks built and three existing blocks refurbished.

South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust chief executive David Bradley said: “Our new Tolworth Hospital will be unique, as clinicians and patients have been at the forefront of developing the design approach. The new hospital promises to be amongst the best possible facilities in the country and will ensure we can deliver the highest level of care to the thousands of patients we care for now and for generations to come.”

Building work will begin late this year.

Read more: Tolworth Hospital redevelopment plans submitted to Kingston Council

The trust said mental health facilities in south west London are often “monotonous” environments, but the Tolworth Hospital plans have been designed by award-winning architects CF Moller, with direct input from patients and medical professionals, so it will be a much more suitable space.

Councillor Cathy Roberts, portfolio holder for Adult Social Care and Health, said: “We are pleased to have given the green light to such an important development in the borough and welcome the plans set out for the Tolworth Hospital site. The new hospital will provide the much-needed mental health services for Kingston and our neighbouring boroughs and promises to offer some of the best treatment and facilities in the country.”