Demo date set for former Stretford Memorial Hospital
Developer Promenade Estates has recruited Nick Brookes Demolition to raze the single-storey extensions around Basford House in a 12-week programme starting on 10 June.
Trafford Council has granted permission for the demolition of the buildings, which were constructed between 1920 and 1980. The mansion itself was built in 1860. It became a hospital during World War I, eventually offering maternity and, later, geriatric care services.
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust closed the facility in 2015, selling the site to Promenade Estates in 2022.
While the newer extensions are being demolished, Promenade is planning to do more surveys of Basford House to see if the mansion can be saved.
“It’s a lovely heritage building, and we have a long track record of sympathetic restoration of properties of this type and quality,” said Promenade managing director Daniel Hynd.
Hynd continued: “First, we’ve got to get under its skin and make it secure, as it’s not in the best condition.”
The developer is working alongside Buttress Architects and David Sayer Consultancy on future plans for the 2.5-acre site, which could include between 60 and 70 homes.
A planning application is due to be submitted to Trafford Council this summer.
Regarding the forthcoming demolition, the works programme includes a mission to recycle 90% of its waste, according to Nick Brookes Demolition contracts director Keiran Hatcher.
Hatcher said: “We have tried and trusted means of ensuring that as much of the original construction material as possible is recycled, from the concrete slabs through to brickwork, timber, and plastics. There is some asbestos on site, so our regulated, specialised team will take responsibility for its removal and proper disposal.”
Cre8 Land and Planning assisted Promenade in securing demolition permission from Trafford Council. You can learn more about the project by searching application reference number 112982/DEM/24 on Trafford Council’s planning portal.
I really hope the mansion can be saved as it is a fine building that represents the affluence of the area prior to the urban sprawl of the 20th Century, one of only a few that remain in this area and certainly the best of those.
By Steve
Hopefully part of this can be saved, as Seymour Grove would be poorer without it.
By Paul
I’m sure the building was gifted to the community by the owner, pre NHS.. not sure why how it’s been able to be sold to a developer??
By Jon
It would be a disgrace if the building was demolished, they must do all they can.
By Heritage Action
@Heritage Action You’ve read Dan Hynd’s comments, right? And checked out his long track record of restoring knackered old buildings?
Ah, good – thought you had.
By Anonymous
This is where my son was born. In those days it was a cottage hospital, that had a magnificent stained glass window overlooking the staircase. I do hope this will be, or maybe hopefully it has been relocated in a place where it will be appreciated. A pity to lose yet another building with a history.
By Anonymous
Please try and save this wonderful building not many like it in the area … born in maternity unit June 1955.
By Maureen born here June 1955
Please save the building, it would totally devastated me if it went as I was born there in 1964. My dad and siblings were outside when I was held up at the window so they could see me, a happy story my mum and dad told me all my life.
By Diane
It is criminal how this beautiful building has been left to deteriorate. My mother was a midwife there, I was born there and I worked for the CAMHS in the building until it was closed. When CAHMS left the building it was in perfect condition but it was left unguarded . Vandels got in and caused damage including removal of the beautiful staircase .
There was a blue plague outside to commemorate the birth of Alcock who with Brown were the first to fly the Atlantic. This building must be saved for its history and place in Trafford .
By Pauline McLaughlin
I was born in this hospital in 1968 and so was my brother in 1961. I believe this hospital may be needed in the future as we are in a over populated country. Hospitals are essential and building them will take time to replace old hospitals that are there to serve our community, if we are in crisis. Save Stretford Memorial Hospital!
By Mrs Maria Bass
I too was born in that hospital, and I do hope the beautiful main building can be saved.
By Sylvia
Please save this beautiful historical building that’s close to so many local hearts!
By Sarah J
This building needs saving its a beautiful building with lots of character…too quick to knock down these buildings and they gone forever
By Sharon
Save this fascinating old building it is part of the area.Would we rather see a characterless new structure built with cheaper materials and lower quality workmanship?
By John D
My daughter was born there in 1969 lovely little hospital.
By Mrs h duffy
What a disgrace a lovely old hospital to be torn down and sold off another dent in our NHS,
By Sylvia vincent
One idea could be to carefully dismantle – brick by brick – the main mansion building, and weave this into the new development. This happened with the former Altrincham Hospital building in the same borough to create the town’s library and health and well-being centre.
By Rye
I wouldn’t mind losing old buildings if Manchester was capable of building good new buildings
By Anonymous
People seem to have mis-read the article – the historic mansion is not subject to the demolitions, the other later buildings on the site are through. Buttress know what they are doing with heritage sites, I am sure everything will be done to retain the mansion and make the development work around it
By Bradford
It very shame to see the place look rundown for last 9 years it should have been done long time ago
By Abdul
Apparently, it was Ian Curtis’s (of Joy Division that became New Order after his death) birthplace.
I’ve been its neighbour for much of my life.
By Ahmad
Shame no doubt it will be demolished.It’s been allowed to deteriorate to the point it can’t be saved.I noticed bricks have been moved where the roof is.Let this get worse and it’s the reason to demolish it!
More money for everyone and Council Tax for Trafford! Construction rules the economy!
By Ann
l had both my sons i1969 and1971 it was very homily and the midwives were lovely
By Marie
This building should be preserved for Trafford residents. It was a maternity hospital and later a specialist outpatient facility for mental health and individual’s requiring treatments for long term addictions. It had an excellent reputation within the Community.
I would urge everyone to contact their MP Andrew Western and impress upon him to join us in the battle to save this institution.
By Peter McLaughlin
My brother was born there in 1932
By Anonymous
I was born at Stretford Memorial, had surgery there as a child and as an adult worked there as a qualified nurse. I also lived locally to hospital when the additional buildings such as the nurses residence existed. I sincerely hope that Basford House facade is retained as it was a beautiful building with some lovely internal features. I am pleased that the site is finally going to be regenerated and will provide housing, hopefully realistically affordable.
By KS
Stained glass window was removed many years ago when hospital was closed for refurbishment and never returned. Where it went is a mystery!
By KS
Do people even read articles these days, or do a lot of you just read the headline and then jump right to the comment section?
By Rob
Rob, what does that have to do with the Stretford Memorial Hospital?
By Anonymous
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust are a disgrace! This former hospital could have been kept running to provide vital services to the community. However, things change and the buildings are now in a state of disrepair. But why has it taken over 9 years to get to this stage, why does it take so long to redevelop old buildings/sites?
By Fred Shito
If the buildings had been fully cleared & after it’s closure the various buildings hadn’t just been left to go to rack & ruin there wouldn’t be any question as to whether or not Basford house could be saved! I live right behind this site
By Lisa graham
I used to work on ward 2. There is a beautiful stained glass window in what was the Day Room. It would be lovely if this could be saved and placed at another site the Trust owns
By Helen