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Talks begin over hospital site plans
Dave Appleton29/ 5/2007
PERSIMMON Homes is starting talks with Rochdale Council planners this week about its new housing development on the Birch Hill Hospital site.
The company has bought 28 acres of the former hospital site for £21.5M after a fierce bidding competition with other developers.
There is already outline permission in place to build 44 homes at Birch Hill - once a workhouse - and the restoration of some of the existing buildings.
Although it is not listed, there are also plans to retain the historic clock tower.
The hospital is slowly scaling down its operations, but Pennine Care NHS Trust will keep a mental health facility on site.
Adrian Donovan, Persimmon's land director, said: "We are delighted to have successfully purchased the land at Birch Hill Hospital and look forward to developing the plans for what will be one of our largest developments in the region.
"We understand the purchase may be sensitive to people in the area and we will be working closely with the town planners and the health authorities before submitting our planning application to Rochdale Council.
"This is one of the biggest single purchases we have made to date and expect to be building around 400 units to suit a wide range of purchasers, which will include a variety of first-time buyer homes, apartments and larger family homes."
Persimmon say 10 per cent of the properties will have to be 'affordable' under government planning regulations.
They will be available on a shared ownership basis to make them within range of first-time buyers and key workers.
Rochdale planning officer Richard Butler said: "We hope to meet Persimmon some time this week to talk through their plans for this important site.
"We would like to see some of the buildings of character retained and will be looking for a mix of residential properties.
"This is primarily a residential area, well served by public transport and schools as well as local shops and it is now up to the developer to put its idea forward."
The sale will also help swell the coffers of the Pennine NHS Trust.
Jane Donnison of Manchester-based law firm Hempsons, which was involved in the sale, said: "The sale went through in a tight timescale because it took place by way of formal tender where sealed bids were submitted upon terms dictated by the trust.
"The site was obviously an attractive proposition for Persimmon Homes and we were delighted to have received such a substantial bid for it.
"The position of the adjoining mental health facility has been preserved and there will be a deed of covenant between Pennine Care and Persimmon Homes covering demolition, security and access.
"This sale is another example of dealing with the disposal of surplus NHS estate with the benefit of planning approval for residential development."
Most recent 2 of 4 user comments
To the folk in t'Town Hall, them as mek all the noise About houses and planning decisions, When we look round our town We do so with a frown, Our objections are met with derision.
Someone pulls down a shed and puts up a large house, Council coffers see it as a treat. Demolish an old house, And it doesn’t take nous To see someone will build a small street.
Take a look at Birch Hill, what is going on there? With decisions behind peoples backs, But the Council is thrilled, When these houses they build, Umpteen millions raked in council tax.
And what do we get for the money we pay Or am I naïve, just a fool? All those kids that’ll grow Where to school will they go? For you’ve closed down our second’ry school.
And with just one road in, and just one road out Mate, your planning has gone all to cock. Nothing much will it take, One wrong foot on a brake, And the A58’s all in gridlock.
In the ‘Boro, you see, we all know how you work, That you’re part of the marketing team. Our town’s sole use to you, And this is nothing new, Is just one endless, fat income stream!
31/05/2007 at 08:04
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