HOYLAND will have the first ever purpose-built autism hospital after the council granted outline planning permission on Tuesday.
The national referral centre off High Royd Lane in Shortwood Business Park is expected to create about 250 jobs when it opens in 2009.
The Options Group, which provides specialist services for children, young people and adults with autism, said it will be the only hospital of its kind in the UK.
Specialist health officer Jeremy Taylor said: “It will provide a national centre of excellence for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders.”
The hospital will differ from existing facilities as it will specialise in treating individuals with additional disabilities such as diabetes and epilepsy.
And the patients, aged between 18-65, will benefit from the stability of treatment in one place rather than moving between facilities.
