The coronavirus laboratory at Bracknell Healthspace in Brants Bridge is open and processing around 40,000 tests per day.

It is understood the facility and its staff corps of around 300 people will play a big part in the enduring fight against coronavirus.

Earlier this year, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that a planning application had been submitted to transform the vacant second floor of Bracknell Healthspace into a Covid-19 laboratory where tests can be processed and other research can be undertaken.

Work began at Bracknell Healthspace, known as Brants Bridge, in October last year, with the project being completed in February 2021.

The lab operates 24 hours per day and processes 40,000 tests a day.

READ MORE: Where, when and how you can book a Covid Booster jab in Bracknell and Wokingham

The process of creating the lab was sped up by the Covid-19 Planning Amendment 2020, which was devised to cut through existing planning laws so modular coronavirus testing and vaccination facilities could be established, and laboratories like the one at Brants Bridge.

Planning agents for the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, who have undertaken the works, submitted the planning application to make sure Bracknell Forest Council’s planning department have no issues with the Healthspace being used as a Covid-19 Laboratory in the future.

Although it was the Trust that submitted the plan, the lab is managed by Berkshire & Surrey Pathology Services (BSPS) and run by the NHS, with the lab’s official name being the ‘BSPS Lighthouse Laboratory’.

Bracknell News: A look at what the outside of Bracknell Healthspace will look like once changes are made: Credit: GBS HealthA look at what the outside of Bracknell Healthspace will look like once changes are made: Credit: GBS Health

At the time of the laboratory’s opening, Nicola Newman, Managing Director of BSPS said: “Testing remains a vital element in tackling COVID-19, identifying people with the virus so that they can self-isolate and reduce transmission.

“Thanks to the fantastic efforts from dedicated colleagues and partners, our new Lighthouse laboratory is ready to provide COVID-19 testing in support of the national effort.

“BSPS is one of the largest NHS pathology networks in the country and this experience has helped us to expand our diagnostic facilities to analyse tens of thousands of samples per day – deploying our expertise to support the biggest network of diagnostic testing our country has ever seen.”

READ MORE: Almost 400 test positive for Coronavirus in Bracknell over the weekend

Additionally, Lord Bethell, Health Minister, said: “I am delighted these new Lighthouse laboratories are now up and running as planned.

“They are part of Britain’s largest-ever network of diagnostic testing facilities and will play a crucial role in our collective efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus.

“I would like to thank everyone involved for the hard work that has gone into establishing and running the labs.

“Testing is absolutely crucial to our plans to get back to normal life as we cautiously ease restrictions, and these new facilities will play an integral role in that as part of NHS Test and Trace.”

READ MORE: Bracknell Forest Council 'ready' to implement Plan B coronavirus restrictions

This month, the Government initiated Plan B coronavirus measures, which involve the return of the mask mandate and home working, and the requirement for people to prove they have been vaccinated to go clubbing, and attend large indoor and outdoor venues.

The restrictions were enacted following the emergence of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, which was detected in both Bracknell Forest and Wokingham on December 10.

The current planning application for the Covid lab at Brants Bridge can be found by typing in reference 21/00356/FUL into the council's planning portal: https://planapp.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/online-applications/

At the same time as the Bracknell lab’s opening in February, two other labs were opened in Gateshead and Plymouth.