Troubled Newcastle housing project is dropped

Feb 18 2010 by Katie Davies, The Journal

A CONTROVERSIAL housing development in one of the region’s most sought-after areas has been dropped after builders pulled out.

The Newcastle Hospitals Trust had planned to sell the Sanderson Hospital site in Gosforth to developers George Wimpey, but the deal has collapsed and now the site could revert to being used for health services.

Wimpey received planning permission two years ago to put 48 houses and 10 apartments on the site after a lengthy battle which saw many nearby residents object to the scheme.

But the decline in the housing market has seen the company pull out of the deal after the value of the land effectively halved.

Now the health trust is drawing up options for the site, where demolition work has begun to demolish the old hospital.

Trust chief executive Sir Len Fenwick said a number of options are being looked at for the site, including specialist health services. It is also possible that part of the site could still be sold off for housing.

Sir Len said: “The site was sold but there was difficulty in securing planning permission. It took a number of years and the site value plummeted.

“It will now remain a valuable asset of the community and the NHS. We are not prepared to just give it away.”

Sir Len said: “The site would provide specialist led facilities in partnership with a general practice. It is in an excellent location and it will benefit the community providing facilities that are much closer than the ones in the city centre. We are an aging community and sometimes areas are out of reach.

“The site is in a prime location and is very accessible by Metro or bus. We will be looking to work with Age Concern and other support networks to provide the service.”

Sir Len told the Journal that surrounding neighbourhoods would not be affected by the change, as on-site parking will be something that will be discussed.

The Trust is also drawing up plans for the development of Walkergate Healthcare and Diagnostic Centre and the Brighton Grove Health, Wellbeing and Walk-in Centre.

An agreed plan for the development for the site was five years in the making before finally being passed.

Ward councillor for West Gosforth Nick Cott has represented the views of local families over the proposed build.

He said: “Initially concerns centred on too many new houses, and particularly flats, being built in the area.

“While residents still had some reservations about the plans George Wimpey put forward, I think we all accepted there would be a development, but nothing ever seemed to happen. I think everyone presumed since the recession the market for the proposed homes just wasn’t there anymore.

“I want to make sure we are now not presented with a derelict site for much longer. I know there have been some concerns over vandalism and break-ins which the hospital Trust have tried to address.

“I think everyone just wants to see some movement on the site as soon as is practicably possible. I think the overall preference is for some sort of health use at the site. I think there is a possibility for that. Failing that a small housing development could also be acceptable to the surrounding community.”

George Wimpey declined to comment.