PLANS are underway to create a massive temporary field hospital in Cumbria, to help with the expected pressure on NHS services by the coronavirus pandemic.

A plea was issued by CBRE, a commercial real estate company, over the weekend to all Cumbrian chartered surveyors, to try and find land or property to help the NHS.

The team says it is urgently looking for 10,000sq m of open plan space near to an existing hospital within any major Cumbrian town, which can then used for deployment as a field hospital.

Alternatively, they are asking if any company has two large sheds of 5,000sq m.

The call comes as the company says it is doing its part in offering help and support to the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement, it said: “CBRE is assisting the NHS by facilitating engagement with clients and contacts in the real estate market across the UK, to satisfy their immediate need for additional premises and parking facilities.

“We are seeking to identify suitable properties within close proximity to an NHS or private hospital which could be occupied by the NHS for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The greatest needs at the current time are car parking - to enable NHS staff to access hospitals quickly, overnight beds for staff, and storage facilities within a 15-minute walk of an NHS hospital.”

The company statement adds: “CBRE has created a working group to co-ordinate this effort and we are now asking if you have unoccupied or vacant property which might be suitable for occupation by the NHS.”

It is understood at least one Carlisle company is in talks about helping.

Anyone who can help is asked to forward any opportunities james.laidler@cbre.com, joe.rigby@cbre.com or alex.perratt@cbre.com