Stockport’s St Thomas’ Hospital redevelopment to begin this month

Rowlinson Construction is aiming to be on site before the end of October to deliver the 89-apartment Academy for Living Well, a multi-generational care home.

Plans for the redevelopment of the former St Thomas’ Hospital in Shaw Heath have been in the works since 2019 when Stockport Council acquired the site from Homes England.

After proposals for the scheme were approved at committee in 2021, a formal decision notice for St Thomas’ Gardens was handed down in May 2022.

Now, Rowlinson Construction has been appointed to deliver the scheme, that will see the site brought back into use after two decades of dereliction.

David Chilton, managing director at Rowlinson, said: “We’re proud to be constructing this pioneering development that will revolutionise the care model in Stockport by offering support when it’s needed most.

“It will breathe new life into the former St Thomas’ Hospital site and we’re anticipating starting construction in the latter part of October 2024.”

The scheme will see the former St Thomas’ Hospital redeveloped into a 89-bedroom care facility and 68 affordable homes.

The four-storey care home would aim to provide support for people transitioning between hospital and home and would be managed by Stockport Homes.

The additional residential element comprises 35 apartments contained within the three grade two-listed buildings on the site.

A further two buildings are earmarked for 19 apartments and the remaining 13 affordable homes are to be new-build townhouses. The tenure mix would be 80% shared ownership and 20% social rent.

Cllr Colin Macalister, cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: “It’s fantastic news that we can confirm Rowlinson as construction partner on this project so we can bring this historic site forward, so it can be preserved and reimagined for modern, town centre living for all ages.

“The new care facility will provide the right support for those transitioning between hospital and home and will be at the heart of this new community.”

PRP is the architect and NJL Consulting is the planner. Urban Green is the landscape architect.