St Thomas’ hospital scheme moves forward
Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation has lodged detailed plans to convert the former psychiatric hospital into a 70-bed care facility and 68 affordable homes.
The MDC secured approval from Stockport Council to progress the proposals earlier this year and the developer, Stockport Homes, has now submitted a planning application with its advisor NJL Consulting.
The project would provide a new build 70-bed intermediate care and dementia facility on the St Thomas’ site, originally called Shaw Heath Hospital, close to Stockport’s Edgeley neighbourhood.
The proposed facility – to be managed by the council’s arms-length housing body Stockport Homes – has been named the Academy of Living Well and would aim to provide support for people transitioning between hospital and home.
There would be a further residential development, of which 35 apartments would be contained within three grade two-listed buildings on the site. An additional two buildings are earmarked for 19 apartments and the remaining 13 affordable homes would be new-build townhouses.
The tenure mix would be 80% shared ownership and 20% social rent, under the plans.
In addition, the scheme would deliver 4,000 sq ft of flexible commercial space, landscaping, a new access way onto Hollands Mill Road and Royal George Street, and car and cycle parking. The architect is PRP Architects and Stephen Levrant Heritage Architecture advised on the heritage aspects of the scheme.
The council acquired the vacant site from government body Homes England last December. Ownership has changed hands multiple times since 2004 when the hospital became disused, and various residential schemes have been tabled but not delivered, according to documents from Stockport Council.
The site falls within the masterplan for Stockport’s Town Centre West regeneration, which sets out proposals for 3,500 homes and more than 1m sq ft of employment space, together with an “urban riverside” comprising a series of public spaces.
Stockport MDC was established last September to lead regeneration in the town, using the Greater Manchester Mayor’s devolved powers.
Details are important: this site was not ‘originally called Shaw Heath Hospital’, it was a particularly unpleasant, overcrowded, brutal and chaotic workhouse for 700 inmates, built in 1841.
It has also been the subject of a number of paranormal investigations which if you believe in these things, basically say that it is haunted.
By AltPoV
What has happened to the Peter Clare Clock which is one year older than Big Ben in London. My late father repaired and got it in working order for the hospital. It is 3 face with raods that run under the floor, it would be nice for the town if it could be put back, and people could see the time without looking at their watches.
By Sharza Dethick