The changes will include new buildings, car parks and a helipad, as well as a cancer treatment centre.

The hospital, which is currently on several sites, will be moved to new buildings at the City General in Hartshill as part of the �350m plan.

Hospital chiefs are hoping the scheme will also gain government approval.

Government approval

Under the scheme the Royal Infirmary and central outpatients sites are due to close.

It is set to be the biggest hospital building scheme in north Staffordshire for many years.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council planning department also approved on Thursday a �25m improvement programme for the Haywood Hospital in Burslem.

Planners voted unanimously for the development to go-ahead and the hospital hope to get final approval from Central Government later this year.