Press Release

Developers invited to help transform former Whittingham Hospital site

16/12/2005

The UK’s best house builders and developers are being invited to join in the transformation of the former Whittingham Hospital site near Preston.

Whittingham, which closed in the early 90’s, is one of 96 former NHS hospital sites transferred to national regeneration agency English Partnerships earlier this year following a groundbreaking deal between the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) and the Department of Health.

English Partnerships is now working to determine the best future use for each of the sites to see how each can contribute to government policy to create sustainable communities and, in particular, to increase levels of affordable homes.

The Whittingham Hospital site, situated just outside Preston on the edge of Goosnargh village, is the first in the North West to be brought forward and at almost 60 ha (147 acres) is one of the largest in the Hospital Sites Programme.

The successful developer will be responsible for preparing a new masterplan for the site in consultation with the community and stakeholders, and securing planning permission for it.

Paul Spooner, Regional Director for the North West and West Midlands, said, “English Partnerships makes sure that any development we bring forward sets the highest standards in terms of design, layout and materials. We’re looking for a developer – or developers – with the flair and imagination to respond to this exceptional opportunity and work with us to deliver an exemplar development at the Whittingham site.

“The site is vast and the successful party will need experience and resources, as well as a strong sense of vision, to deliver an exemplar development with commitment to quality design and environmental sustainability. Equally important will be the ability to work with the community to ensure that local people can have their say.”

The Whittingham Hospital site comprises three groups of buildings - St Margaret’s, the majority of which has already been demolished, along with Cameron House and St Luke’s, which are in a severe state of dereliction.

Outline planning permission already exists for up to 584 residential units (50 of which would be affordable), 18,500 sq m (almost 200,000 sq ft) of industrial/office space, a site for a new primary school and provision of community/recreation facilities. The scheme also includes the refurbishment of part of the St Luke’s complex for employment purposes.

As part of the re-development it is proposed that a bypass is constructed from Junction 1 of the M55 to the north of Broughton Village to deal with the increase of traffic to the site.

In line with sustainable ways of working, English Partnerships will require that all homes are built to a minimum building standard of EcoHomes ‘very good’ and demolition materials will, wherever possible, be reused – for example, under roads or building foundations.

Mr Spooner added, “The transfer of the hospital sites portfolio demonstrates significant progress across government in ensuring that best use is made of the country’s supply of surplus public sector land.

“With the growing need to increase the supply of housing and create communities where people can afford to live and want to live, it’s vital that we maximise the potential of every site and work closely with the local authorities and Regional Development Agencies to see how each can contribute to local housing, employment and social needs.”

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