Parking misery at Basildon Hospital could become a thing of the past after plans for a multistorey car park were approved.

A four-storey car park, providing 650 extra spaces, will soon be built on the existing main car park.

It is being funded as part of the new Essex Cardiothoracic Centre, which opens this summer.

Hospital bosses hope the changes will stop unauthorised parking around the grounds.

An average of around 400 vehicles park outside designated areas at any time and staff are worried this could block access for emergency vehicles.

* Plans for an enlarged temporary car park at Thurrock and Basildon college have also been approved.

A total of 822 spaces will be available on the playing fields until March 2008 when the multistorey should be finished.